Pete Waterman is "devastated" by the cancellation of the 25th anniversary Hit Factory Live concert, due to take place tomorrow evening in London's Hyde Park, before the bad weather and resulting muddy conditions caused organisers to pull the event.
The producer, who had recruited some of his most successful chart-toppers for the show, including a highly-touted reunion of Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, told HuffPostUK:
"I'm truly devastated that the show has been cancelled . Artists, performers, friends, and our unbelievably loyal and supportive fans have travelled far and wide to be part of this special celebration. So many people have put their heart and soul into making this happen.
"Thank you for your support….25 years and despite the cancellation, let the music live on."
Fans have been waiting for more than 20 years to see Minogue and Donovan reunite for a sentimental outpouring of Especially For You but sadly, they're going to have to wait a while longer.
The only outpouring this week has been the rain, which bogged down London's Hyde Park where thousands of party-goers got muddied up at Wireless. As a result of the state of the park afterwards, Waterman and his gang have had to pull the plug on the special Hit Factory 25th anniversary concert scheduled for tomorrow evening at the same venue.
The decision was made this morning, following inspection of the site by park supervisors and concert organisers. It was decided that the risk to both artists and fans attending the concert was too great to continue with the plans.
News of the cancellation will come as a shock to fans, already preparing to don their brightest Eighties clothes and head down to the Park, where a catalogue of PWL singers were due to entertain them. As well as Kylie and Jason, the bill included Sinitta, Brother Beyond, Dead Or Alive, Bananarama, Sonia and headliners Steps.
Jason Donovan tweeted his fans this afternoon:
John Probyn, Live Nation COO said, “The moment the Wireless Festival ended, we put in place a massive plan to prepare the site for tomorrow. Eight thousand cubic metres of wood chip is currently being put in place and over the past 24hours crews have started to make the site safe for our customers. Despite best efforts time has beaten us, but I want to reassure that Hard Rock Calling concerts with Soundgarden, Bruce Springsteen and Paul Simon, plus Madonna on 17 July and the BT London Live Opening Ceremony Celebration concert and the events will go ahead.”
And here's who you COULD have seen...