Freya Ridings withdraws from Coronation Concert due to unexpected illness

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 scheduled to perform a duet with classical soul composer Alexis Ffrench during Sunday’s concert to celebrate the coronation of the King and Queen.

The BBC has announced that she will be replaced by British singer-songwriter Zak Abel, who has worked with Gorgon City, Kygo and Tom Misch in the past.

Follow Live updates from the coronation ceremony below Westminster Abbey here.

The broadcaster’s statement read: “The BBC has announced that British singer-songwriter Zak Abel will step in for Sunday’s coronation concert at Windsor Castle, replacing Freya Ridings, who has had to withdraw due to illness and has therefore been unable to perform.

Abel said he was “honoured and overwhelmed” to be part of the coronation celebrations, which begin on Saturday May 6.

“Having the opportunity to be part of such a historic moment is something that haunts me forever and I will never forget,” he added.

In their statement, the BBC said: “Having been diagnosed at the age of just 21 with otosclerosis, overgrowth and fragility of the stirrup in the ear which can lead to hearing loss, Zak overcame a number of hurdles to achieve success in the competitive world of music, which led him to the opportunity to perform at this once-in-a-lifetime event.”

Abel joins a star-studded cast that includes Take That, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli and Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel.

The event will take place in the grounds of Windsor Castle on Sunday in front of 20,000 spectators and invited guests and will be broadcast on BBC TV and radio channels.

Follow Live updates from the coronation ceremony below Westminster Abbey here.