Singer-songwriter Freya Ridings has pulled out of the Coronation Concert “due to being unwell”, the BBC has announced.
The “Lost Without You” singer, 29, was supposed to perform a duet with classical-soul composer Alexis Ffrench during the concert on Sunday to celebrate the crowning of the King and Queen Consort.
The BBC has said she will be replaced by British singer-songwriter Zak Abel, who has collaborated with Gorgon City, Kygo and Tom Misch in the past.
Follow live updates from the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey here.
The broadcaster’s statement read: “The BBC has announced that British singer-songwriter Zak Abel is stepping in to perform at Sunday’s Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle, replacing Freya Ridings, who has had to pull out, due to being unwell and therefore unable to perform.
Abel said he was “honoured and overwhelmed” to be part of the coronation celebrations that will begin on Saturday 6 May.
“To have the opportunity to be part of such a historic moment is something I will forever be humbled by and will never forget,” he added.
In its statement, the BBC said: “Having being diagnosed with otosclerosis, overgrowth and brittleness of the stapes bone in the ear, which can lead to hearing loss, when he was just 21, Zak has overcome a number of hurdles in order to achieve success in the competitive world of music, which has led him to the opportunity to perform at this once in a lifetime event.”
Abel joins a star-studded line-up which includes Take That, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, as well as including Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli and Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel.
The event, on Sunday in the grounds of Windsor Castle, will be in front of a crowd of 20,000 members of the public and invited guests and broadcast across BBC television and radio stations.
Follow live updates from the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey here.
