Radio 1 Cancels Big Weekend Festival Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

The three-day music event was due to take place in Dundee in May.

Radio 1 has cancelled its Big Weekend festival amid the on-going coronavirus outbreak.

The three-day music event was due to take place in Dundee from 22-24 May, with acts such as Harry Styles and Calvin Harris performing.

The station said in a statement: “After careful consideration we have come to the decision that Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2020 in Dundee will not go ahead.

“This decision has been made in conjunction with our event partners, in line with the advice from the Scottish government, and while we know fans looking forward to purchasing tickets will be disappointed, it is important that we prioritise the health and safety of all those involved.”

Radio 1 Breakfast DJ Greg James at the Big Weekend in Hull in 2017
Radio 1 Breakfast DJ Greg James at the Big Weekend in Hull in 2017
Dave J Hogan via Getty Images

More than 70,000 music fans were expected to attend over the course of the event, which was to take place in Camperdown Park.

Biffy Clyro, AJ Tracey, Camila Cabello and Dua Lipa were also set to perform at the festival.

Tickets had been due to go on sale in the coming weeks.

It would have marked the first time Radio 1′s Big Weekend had returned to the same city, as it first visited in 2006 with Snow Patrol, Muse, Keane, Pink and Sugababes among the acts on the line-up.

A total of 798 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Friday, up from 590 at the same point on Thursday. The number of fatalities remains at 10, with no increases on the previous day.

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