Leona Lewis and Lionel Richie turn out for Summertime Ball
- 00:01:39
- ITN
Leona Lewis and Lionel Richie turn out for Summertime Ball
Around 55,000 fans ignored the rain and had a ball at Capital FM's non-stop musical bonanza over the weekend. The Summertime Ball was held on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium, the home of Arsenal Football Club. Leona Lewis entertained fans with a rare gig while Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Enrique Iglesias also performed. And the evening ended with a bang, when fireworks preceded the live performance of newly-reformed boy band Blue. They closed the show with their tune One Love and Lee Ryan explained how they're finally all grown up now. He said: "I think we kind of really realise as a group that there's still such a big fan base after so many years of us being away. "Even though we've done different projects, I think going away and doing different projects has broadened our sense of the industry and given us time to grow up as well, which takes time." He added: "I grew up in this industry at 16 years old so coming back in to it now when I'm a father - we're all fathers now - it gives you a different perspective on life after being a teenager and then growing up and all of us growing up as a group together. "So it's going to be interesting the second time around." Iglesias, meanwhile, said he was pleased fans hadn't been put off by the drizzle, saying: "England is one of those few countries where you see people and it starts raining and they don't care they keep on going. If you were somewhere else probably people would probably hide and they wouldn't want to be in the rain." And before the event kicked off, veteran performer Richie said: "The bigger the crowd the better. I always love it because especially when you are performing like it is now. They'll sing louder than I'm going to sing so it's going to be great." Richie also shared his opinion of the trials and tribulations of the world's newest music star, reality TV contestant Susan Boyle. He said: "What people have to understand is, it took me, Michael (Jackson), Prince - it took us 25-30 years to get comfortable with the stages. "To do ten weeks, have massive press, have massive exposure and expect someone to say, 'You know it's everyday.' It's not everyday. You have to get used to that and it takes - that kind of pressure everyday. "I wouldn't wish it on my...I don't even think I could do it so let alone somebody who is an amateur. You have to think that." The event raised £100,000 for Help A London child, a charity that works with the capital's less advantaged and most vulnerable children and young people.
ITN | June 8, 2009
