Elton John to see in the new year on ITV1

ITV1’s New Year’s Eve special will see rock superstar Elton John and special guests perform a spectacular 90-minute show to see in 2009.

Elton’s New Year’s Eve Party – Live from The O2 Arena, hosted by Kate Thornton, follows last year’s ITV1 special, Countdown to Midnight: Take That & Guests live at The O2 Arena.

The show, featuring Elton’s greatest hits, will air on ITV1 from 11.15pm and see the singing superstar and guests count down to 2009.

Producer of the show Whizz Kid Entertainment is reportedly in talks with international broadcasters, including US networks, interested in taking the show.

Guy Freeman, controller of ITV Music & Events, said: “What really matters for us is to be live and in the company of a great artist at midnight on New Years Eve.

“The Take That broadcast, which was overseen by Whizz Kid Entertainment, significantly boosted the channel’s New Year’s Eve audience in 2007 and I can’t think of anyone better than Elton to see in 2009.”

ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com