CINEWORLD in Bolton is set to stream a live BBC Radio 2 event for first time to commemorate 70th anniversary of D-Day.

The star-studded event will feature singer Katherine Jenkins, who will sing a virtual duet of We’ll Meet Again with Dame Vera Lynn at The Royal Albert Hall concert in London.

Sir Patrick Stewart will lead a cast of actors, playing wartime leader Sir Winston Churchill at the special commemorative event.

And acclaimed folk singer Seth Lakeman will perform a song written about his grandfather, who landed on the Normandy beaches on D-Day.

The BBC will stream the special Friday Night is Music Night concert, “D-Day 70 Years On”, at Cineworld in Astley Bridge on June 6, as well as at other cinemas around the country.

Marc Allenby, director of distribution at Picturehouse Entertainment, who set up the cinema deal, said: “Cinemas were the lifeblood of information in wartime Britain and the main social centres for sharing news.

“They united the country in 1944 and will do so again 70 years on. It is fitting that cinemas nationwide can join the BBC in commemorating the anniversary in what will be an historic broadcast.”

“D-Day 70” Years On will feature hosts Jeremy Vine, Dermot O’Leary and Louise Minchin as they re-tell the key moments of D-Day, alongside music from the BBC Concert Orchestra.

They will be joined by a band featuring musicians from the Central Band of the Royal Air Force, the Royal Artillery Band and Royal Marines musicians.

Dame Vera said: “It makes me proud and honoured to know that ‘We’ll Meet Again’ is still so popular, over seven decades after it was first recorded. For it to be brought to life again, ‘dueting’ with Katherine Jenkins, is just perfect for the occasion.”

There will also be performances from Beverley Knight, a special rendition of “In My Dreams” by the Military Wives Choir and a choir from a performing arts schools.

Sir Patrick, playing Sir Winston Churchill, will lead a cast of actors as they narrate stories based on extracts from D-Day diaries and letters.

The Star Trek actor said: “I am delighted to be part of this anniversary commemoration. Churchill wrote English to be spoken and I have always loved quoting his remark that ‘the greatest virtue is courage, because it makes all the other virtues possible’.”

Profits from the concert will be donated to the charities SSAFA, The Royal British Legion and SkillForce.