Back by popular demand and following the debut at Radio 2 in the Park in Preston last year, there will be a Friday night DJ party to kick things off – featuring sets from Vernon Kay, Scott Mills, Rylan, DJ Spoony and Michelle Visage – ahead of a weekend packed with stellar live performances including headliners Bryan Adams and Def Leppard.
The podcast recording will take place at Chelmsford Theatre on September 2 and will be available to listeners on BBC Sounds from September 3.
Scott said: “I’m so excited to take Pop Top 10 out of the studio and into the theatre. Rylan and I have so much fun recording this podcast, and it will be amazing to have the lovely Radio 2 listeners with us.”
Rylan said: “Pop Top 10 is coming to Essex. Scott and I always have such a laugh doing this podcast, so we can’t wait to welcome you all in.”
Tickets to join the recording and become a part of the podcast are available at bbc.co.uk/radio2events.
Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, said: “Radio 2 has always been proud to take the station out and about across the UK, and these events in Chelmsford in the run up to Radio 2 in the Park provide a wonderful extra opportunity to shine a spotlight on the city and for our star presenters to meet and connect with our listeners face-to-face.
“We are so excited to bring the full BBC Radio 2 experience to Essex in September and we can’t wait to celebrate with everyone.”
Next to Scott and Rylan’s podcast, Jo Whiley will be hosting a BBC Introducing special edition of her evening show with listeners able to join the audience, and Jeremy Vine will be presenting his lunchtime show from the town, focusing on the county of Essex and exploring what it has to offer.
She will be live from Hot Box in Chelmsford with a handful of lucky listeners getting a behind-the-scenes of the programme being broadcast live, as part of an intimate audience.
Jo says: “I am very excited to be broadcasting my show live from Hot Box in Chelmsford ahead of Radio 2 in the Park.
“Before we hear all the incredible artists performing over the weekend, it seems only right to also take a look at some of the talent of the future, through what promises to be a fantastic BBC Introducing special.”
Tickets will be allocated by random draw for this 18+ live recording. Listeners can tune in to Jo Whiley’s show on BBC Radio 2 from 7pm to find out more information on tickets.
The ticket ballot will be available on bbc.co.uk/radio2events.
Jeremy Vine’s broadcast will celebrate and explore Essex, as he plans to visit the secret nuclear bunker, hear about Chelmsford’s role in the birth of radio, and sample wine from surrounding vineyards.