Radio 1 star excited to bring Radio 1's Big Weekend to Luton

Greg James grew up in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, which he said is not a "million miles away from Luton"

Radio 1 Breakfast presenter Greg James said he was excited to see the Big Weekend come to an "often overlooked" Luton.

The three-day music festival - headlined by Brit winner Raye - will take place in Stockwood Park in Luton between 24 and 26 May.

James said announcing the event in January "couldn't have felt less like festival season".

He said: "A place like that can often get overlooked for events like this."

James broke the news from Kenilworth Road, the home of Luton Town Football Club, which is currently enjoying its first-ever Premier League season.

"It didn't feel real then but it does now and I'm so excited to come to Luton," the presenter said.

"It's great that it's coming to Luton because a place like that, which is quite close to London, can often get overlooked for events like this."

• LISTEN: Greg James says announcing Big Weekend in Luton "didn't feel real"

In recent years the festival has visited towns and cities such as Dundee, Coventry and Middlesbrough.

The 38-year-old broadcaster said: "With Big Weekend we like to take it to a place that doesn't get a big fuss made of it.

"I think that Luton is a place that deserves a bit of a fuss."

BBC Radio 1 presenter announced Luton would be the 2024 location for Big Weekend on his breakfast show from Kennilworth Road

Artists announced for the festival include DJ duo Chase & Status, Essex-raised singer Charli XCX and 26-year-old Raye who made history when she picked up six Brit Awards this year.

• Brit winner Raye to headline Radio 1's Big Weekend

Bedford musician Alfie Templeman is also on the line-up alongside Griff, a singer and producer from Kings Langley, Hertfordshire.

Both artists were supported early in their career by BBC Introducing, which also has a stage at the event.

James explained the festival provided a great opportunity for new artists.

"It could be one of their first gigs but it could potentially be in front of 100,000 people," he said.

"There have been loads of BBC Introducing artists that have gone on to headline around the rest of the world."

Brit winner Raye is headlining the festival on the Saturday

James said he "didn't grow up a million miles away from Luton" in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire.

The presenter admitted it had been "annoying" when his friends in the area asked for tickets.

He joked: "There's a lot of my mates up that way who are like 'can you give us a ticket on the Sunday?'

"I can't! I'm not Ticketmaster!"