Madness are tonight performing a live concert outside BBC Television Centre, to celebrate the iconic building before it closes.
After 53 years, the BBC Television Centre is closing down and will be turned into flats, hotels and office spaces - and the BBC will be rehomed across London. The band's performance at the Grade II listed building will be the last live event to take place there.
The live concert is to be broadcast on BBC4 from 7.30pm, followed by a two hour, pre-recorded special paying homage to the centre, titled Goodbye TV Centre.
Speaking to the BBC, Madness said, "We've played at some exciting places in London lately but the closing of BBC TV Centre, well, that is close to our hearts, as a band we grew up there, those walls have plenty of Madness tales to tell, a sad day, the end of an era, oh, but what a celebration! We're honoured to be the band the Beeb have chosen for this fond farewell."
The controller of BBC4, Richard Klein, added, "I can think of no better band than Madness to help celebrate a golden age of television coming out of the BBC's Television Centre, and I am really pleased that one of Britain's finest groups has agreed to come along and help BBC4 celebrate in fine style. Madness, as always, are one step beyond!"
Madness are going to be the last live event to take place at the Television Centre
The band are set to play classics such as 'One Step Beyond', 'Baggy Trousers' and 'Our House' but are also planning to perform some of their new material.
The concert will celebrate more than 50 years of programme making at the Television Centre. Nearly 6,000 BBC staff are moving to the BBC's New Broadcasting House in central London.
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