King Charles’ Coronation gig in crisis after three A-listers turn down chance to appear
IT is being planned as the crowning glory of King Charles’ Coronation celebrations.
But there will be a scratching of heads and furrowing of brows among the royal team assembled to organise His Majesty’s big Windsor Castle concert on May 6.
For I can sadly reveal three more big-name acts have had to turn down the regal shindig.
Elton John, the Spice Girls and Harry Styles had all been invited but are unable to make time in their crazy-busy schedules.
It comes after Ed Sheeran, Adele and Robbie Williams also bailed.
But if anyone can cheer up the event’s befuddled fixers it is Olly Murs, who is now being lined up by royal appointment.
He is one act who reckons he might just have a chink of light between his tour dates, and is rummaging in his diary to try to make room for Charles.
The monarch already has plenty of good sorts ensuring the do goes off with a bang.
Take That’s Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald are due to headline the concert, which will also feature Kylie and Dannii Minogue, Andrew Lloyd Webber and US soul great Lionel Richie.
A source tells me: “Organisers are working against the clock to pull together an exciting line-up but have hit a series of challenges.
“Elton John was top of Charles’ list but due to his European tour, which sees him performing in Germany the Friday before then again soon after the Windsor concert, he isn’t able to make the dash to the UK work.
“Meanwhile, man-of-the-moment Harry Styles is also tied up with touring and unable to get key band members together as they’ll be on much-needed downtime.”
‘Greatest honour’
The much-anticipated Spice Girls reunion is off, too, I’m told, as rehearsal time is not possible given the chock-full calendars of Mel B, Mel C, Geri Horner, Emma Bunton and Victoria Beckham.
But Dance With Me Tonight hitmaker Olly is in talks to join the party and I’m told organisers are crossing their fingers.
My source adds: “Olly has such stage presence and a huge fanbase, he’d be a great addition.”
The concert will be broadcast live on the BBC and industry expert Jonathan Shalit OBE, of talent agency InterTalent, reckons artists should be jumping at the chance to be a part of history.
He said: “Performing at the Coronation will be one of the greatest honours of most of the acts’ lives.
“It’s going to be one of the most brilliant national events ever. It should be an amazing opportunity to unite the nation.”
If it’s anything like Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Party at the Palace last June, which featured Queen, Duran Duran, Diana Ross and Alicia Keys, it will be a night to remember.
Storming Babes on the button
Caught live @ The Garage, North London
IT’S testament to Sugababes’ enduring popularity that their Brits Week War Child gig felt like the hottest ticket in town.
There had been a mad scrum for tickets at this tiny venue, but fans were rewarded with a masterclass in pristine pop.
Push The Button launched a 75-minute set, as Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhan Donaghy rolled back the years and charged through a slew of Noughties hits.
Ahead of a rafter-raising Freak Like Me, Keisha asked: “Do we have any freaks in the building?”
Round Round and About You Now further reminded us why they are second only to the Spice Girls as the British girl group with most chart toppers.
Nostalgia overload? Not when it’s this good.
★★★★★
Calum and Lewis' laughs
SINGER Calum Scott has been enjoying some laughs with Lewis Capaldi.
He raved it up at the Brits earlier this month with his fellow nominee and told me: “Lewis does love a party. He is so funny and infectious. You have to watch yourself around him.”
Calum, who features on Jax Jones’ new single Whistle, has also travelled to Cape Town to perform in the Love Island villa – but says he doesn’t have time for romance himself.
Carr’s edge
ALAN CARR has said his ex-husband’s jail term gave him “street cred”.
The comedian, who split from Paul Drayton last year, joked that the conviction for drink-driving gave him “an edge”.
During his show at the London Palladium on Friday, Alan said: “My ex ended up in prison. I had a prison husband and I loved it, loved it.
“For the first time in my life I had street cred. I had an edge.”
Alan, who is on his Regional Trinket tour, added: “We took him to the best rehab.
“One woman said to us, ‘Amy Winehouse came here’. I thought, ‘Don’t put that on the poster’.
“We tried therapy at £125 an hour but they didn’t want to hear about my problems.
“They wanted celebrity gossip like, ‘Can Alan Carr get it up?’.”