Pete Waterman To Host Hit Factory Reunion - Rick Astley, Pepsi & Shirlie, Bananarama, Sinitta, Hazell Dean...

Ready To Step Back In Time?

Stars from the glory days of Pete Waterman's "hit factory", including Rick Astley, Steps and Jason Donovan, are to come together for an outdoor spectacular.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to head to the show at London's Hyde Park on July 11 to celebrate the acts who once rode high in the charts.

Also performing are Bananarama, Pepsi & Shirlie, Sinitta and Hazell Dean, with a proportion of ticket proceeds going towards Cancer Research UK.

But where is Kylie's name? The Australian pop princess launched her UK pop career with Stock, Aitken and Waterman back in 1987, and had a catalogue of hits (I Should Be So Lucky, Better The Devil You Know, Put Your Hand On Your Heart,etc) before disappearing for pastures sexier with Michael Hutchence and Nick Cave.

It may be that Kylie is one of the surprises on the day but, even without her topping the bill, it's a pretty impressive lineup for anyone who can remember donning their pink and blue eyeshadow, bangles and hairspray for a night out.

Along with his production team of Mike Stock and Matt Aitken, Waterman and his PWL record label were responsible for launching dozens of careers, and their bouncy pop tracks were almost instantly recognisable.

Rick Astley was famously the tea-boy at the recording studios, until he got behind the mike and became everyone's favourite besuited crooner, with 1987 smash hit Never Gonna Give You Up, and the follow-up Whenever You Need Somebody.

The group who scored the first Stock, Aitken and Waterman (SAW) number one single, Dead Or Alive, will also perform, along with other acts such as Sonia, 2 Unlimited and Brother Beyond.

It is believed to be the first time so many acts from the hit stable have come together on the same bill.

Waterman said: "I've been saying no for years to a Hit Factory concert but now, 25 years on, the timing feels right.

"It's time to celebrate the hit single and we have a tremendous line-up of our classic artists confirmed to play Hit Factory Live in Hyde Park on July 11. More surprises will be announced over the coming months - it's set to be the biggest and best ever celebration of SAW and PWL."

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Waterman's label PWL.

Tickets go on sale on Friday. Here are some of the golden oldies who'll be strutting their stuff on stage...

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