BBC One will celebrate Dame Shirley Bassey’s 80th birthday with one hour special in which the music icon will perform some of her biggest and best-loved classics backed by a live studio orchestra.
The special, which will air at Christmas, will be presented by David Walliams and feature “a lavish mix” of entertainment, comedy, and live music.
Walliams will take Dame Shirley on a “candid walk” through her career, exploring how a little girl from Tiger Bay grew up to became one of the most celebrated and iconic voices of the past sixty years.
Dame Shirley Bassey said: “I’m excited to be recording a TV special alongside David Walliams and the BBC. This will mark two very special milestones for me – an occasion not to miss! We just need to work out how to fit a 60 year career into 60 minutes!”
David Walliams added: “As a lifelong fan of Dame Shirley I am thrilled to be making a television special with her. It really is a dream come true. Whenever Dame Shirley and I are together we laugh a great deal, so I am hoping this will be a hugely entertaining show.”
Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, said the special would be “a fantastic treat for our audience”.
Image: BBC/King Bert/Mary McCartney