Andrea Bocelli to perform at ship naming ceremony

The Italian tenor will headline the naming ceremony for Cunard's new ship

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli is heading to the north west of England to perform at the naming ceremony for a new cruise ship.

The singer will be in Liverpool for the event to mark the arrival of the Queen Anne cruise liner in Liverpool on 3 June.

Organisers are expecting thousands to turn out to see the naming ceremony for the vessel, which was built in Italy at a cost of £479 million.

Classical singer Bocelli said it was "an honour" to be performing on the day the 113,000-tonne vessel sailed into the city.

The city welcomed welcomed Queen Mary 2 to the River Mersey in 2009

He added that taking part in a historic occasion "in a city rich in cultural heritage, truly brings me great joy".

The liner, which can carry 3,000 guests, will sail into the city on the morning of 3 June.

The identity of the official Godparent - the person who names the ship and smashes a bottle of champagne on the hull - is being kept under wraps for now.

The Queen Anne was built in Trieste in Italy

Busted star Matt Willis and his TV presenter wife Emma Willis will host the traditional naming ceremony which is due to take place from 4pm.

After the performance from Bocelli, celebrations will continue with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, and DJ Lauren Lo Sung before a funk and soul set from Craig Charles.

“What we are trying to do with the event, in partnership with Liverpool, is put on something truly iconic for the city of Liverpool and its people and hopefully everyone will come down and join us," said Cunard president Katie McAlister.