Headliners announced for Live at Llangollen Pavilion 2026

* Special guest: Marti Pellow.

Dance music pioneer Pete Tong and global music icon Billy Ocean, together with very special guest Marti Pellow, are bringing unmissable headline shows to Llangollen Pavilion next summer.

Pete and his world-renowned Ibiza Classics show – featuring The Essential Orchestra – will play TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion on Thursday June 25.

On Saturday June 27 – Billy Ocean, the chart-topping legend behind such classic hits as Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run) and Red Light Spells Danger, will headline the iconic Welsh venue with special guest and former Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti Pellow.

Tickets go on sale at 10am Friday via llangollen.net and ticketmaster.co.uk  

* Music icon: Billy Ocean. 

From the sun-soaked shores of Ibiza to the world’s biggest stages, Pete Tong has redefined live dance music. Earlier this year, he celebrated the 10th anniversary of Ibiza Classics with four sold-out nights at the Royal Albert Hall alongside The Essential Orchestra and such greats as Becky Hill, Barbara Tucker, Damian Lazarus, David Morales, Paul Oakenfold, and Seth Troxler.

Throughout his remarkable 30-plus year career, Pete has championed dance music on a global scale, constantly pushing boundaries and supporting new talent. His contributions were formally recognised with the prestigious Music Industry Trusts Award (MITS) in 2021, honouring his outstanding impact on music and broadcasting.

Billy Ocean is one of the UK’s most enduring and successful artists. He has sold more than 30 million records worldwide, received GRAMMY and Ivor Novello Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, a MOBO Lifetime Achievement Award and an MBE for services to music.

* Dance music pioneer: Pete Tong.

Billy’s breakthrough came with Love Really Hurts Without You in 1976, followed by a string of global hits including Red Light Spells Danger, When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going, Loverboy, Suddenly, Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car, and the GRAMMY Award-winning Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run) attracting millions of streams worldwide.

With more than 15 million albums sold, multiple Number One singles, and iconic hits like Sweet Little Mystery, Goodnight Girl, Love Is All Around, and Angel Eyes, Marti Pellow is one of the UK’s most loved and versatile vocalists.

Alongside a successful solo career – spanning pop, jazz, and soul – he’s also earned acclaim on the musical theatre stage, starring in Chicago (West End and Broadway), Evita, Jekyll & Hyde, Blood Brothers, and Chess.

Billy Ocean and Pete Tong join David Gray among the first headline announcements for TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion 2026, which is presented as part of an ongoing partnership with the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor.

Artistic Director of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Dave Danford said: “We’ve welcomed some legendary artists to Llangollen over the last two summers, and next year’s proving to be no exception.

“We’re particularly proud of the range of different genres this time around — there really is something for everyone at Llangollen Pavilion next summer! The Pavilion’s stunning setting, surrounded by the beautiful Welsh hills and the River Dee, makes it a truly special place to experience live music.

“The two shows we’re announcing today promise to be nothing short of spectacular: the soulful sounds of Billy Ocean with very special guest Marti Pellow, and the euphoric energy of Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics. Two incredible nights of world-class live music from some of the biggest names in the business."

* For more information go to llangollen.net

Prostate cancer support group meets this Wednesday

* The Hand Hotel where the prostate cancer support group meets monthly.

Llangollen's Prostate Support Group will be holding their regular monthly meeting this Wednesday, October 15, at the Hand Hotel in Llangollen, at 2pm.

Group spokesperson David Davies, who himself is currently undergoing treatment, said: "Any guy who has had prostate cancer, currently has or has recently been diagnosed, is on current treatment, or who is on the 'watch and wait' is welcomed.  

"We meet on the third Wednesday of the month. We share experiences, support each other, update on latest developments and talk life tips."

Charity afternoon tea is a delicious £1,115 success

 

* Pamela Williams (left) and Jayne Dickson from the team of volunteers which organised and ran the event with the fabulous spread of home-made cakes available. The array of contributed raffle prizes are in the background.

A charity afternoon tea held at St Collen's Community Hall yesterday (Saturday) raised a total of £1,115, which will be shared equally between the two good causes of North West Cancer Research and North East Wales Mountain Rescue. 

The team of organisers have thanked all those who came along and helped make the event a success. 

* People at the event enjoy their afternoon tea.

Former Star Inn is on the market for £149,950

                                    

                              * The former Star Inn is up for sale.

A former Llangollen pub has gone on the market with an asking price of £149,950.

The Star in Queen Street has been empty and run-down for some time but he sales description from Wingetts' says: "Ground floor has front and side bar areas, two public areas and kitchen to rear, two cellar rooms. 

"The first floor offers 6 bedrooms, bathroom and separate w.c. courtyard area to side. The building offers potential for a variety of uses (subject to statutory consent).

* The sale is being handled by Wingetts' Llangollen office in Castle Street, tel: 01978 861366, or email: llangollen@wingetts.co.uk

* The former bar area.

Food festival shows the recipe for success

* Brisk business being done in the packed Town Hall.

Despite the morning's tragic incident on the river, which meant a large police presence in the town for a large part of today, the first day of Llangollen Food Festival went ahead and managed to attract large numbers of people.

Spread across the town were a huge variety of stalls, together with tastings, live music, and entertainment at in Market Street, the Town Hall, Llangollen Railway, Riverside Park, Gales Wine Bar, the Silver Band HQ in Parade Street and - new for this year - Blas Cookery & Wine School also on Parade Street. 

All the venues were doing well, with the Town Hall being especially busy from early on.

Organisers say visitors to the festival can expect a weekend full of delicious food and drink, live music, cookery demos, whisky and port tastings, children’s activities and the ever-popular Real Ale Train on the railway.

There is free parking available all weekend in car parks operated by Denbighshire County Council at Brook Street, East Street, Hall Street, Market Street and Mill Street.

The festival continues tomorrow (Sunday) from 10am to 5pm. 

* Tasty treats on display.

* Welcome to the festival!

* Sixteen-year-old Isla Jane sings in Centenary Square.

* Peter McGivern leads a wine tasting in the courtyard at Blas Cookery & Wine School.

* Food and drink stalls off Parade Street.

* People enjoying the street food and other stalls in Riverside Park.

 * Live entertainment on the bandstand in the park.

* Stalls behind Gales were a big attraction (above and below). 

* Making the most of the new Market Street ca park venue.

* People enjoying the sun and a quiet drink in the park.

* The station approach was packed with stalls.

* The station platform stalls also kept busy throughout the day.

Latest update says it was woman's body found in river this morning

 

* Police activity on the bridge this morning.

3.15pm UPDATE

A WOMAN'S body was pulled from the River Dee in Llangollen today (Saturday, October 11), police have confirmed.

A story on Leaderlive says: "Emergency services were called to the incident this morning - with road closures in place in the town centre as a result.

Police have confirmed that, sadly, a woman's body was discovered in the river.

Enquiries are underway to establish the woman's identity and the death is thought not to be suspicious, police said. The coroner has been informed.

A North Wales Police spokesperson said: "We can confirm that sadly a body of a female was recovered from the River Dee in Llangollen earlier today (Saturday, October 11).

"At 8.18am North Wales Police received a 999-call reporting a body had been discovered in the water.

"Officers attended the scene along with other emergency services including North Wales Fire and Rescue Service’ Water Rescue Team."

Inspector Andy Kirkham of North Wales Police added: 'Our thoughts remain with the woman’s family at this distressing time.'"

Police dealing with major incident in town centre

* The scene this morning on the bridge. 

3.15pm UPDATE

A WOMAN'S body was pulled from the River Dee in Llangollen today (Saturday, October 11), police have confirmed.

A story on Leaderlive says: "Emergency services were called to the incident this morning - with road closures in place in the town centre as a result.

Police have confirmed that, sadly, a woman's body was discovered in the river.

Enquiries are underway to establish the woman's identity and the death is thought not to be suspicious, police said. The coroner has been informed.

A North Wales Police spokesperson said: "We can confirm that sadly a body of a female was recovered from the River Dee in Llangollen earlier today (Saturday, October 11).

"At 8.18am North Wales Police received a 999-call reporting a body had been discovered in the water.

"Officers attended the scene along with other emergency services including North Wales Fire and Rescue Service’ Water Rescue Team."

Inspector Andy Kirkham of North Wales Police added: 'Our thoughts remain with the woman’s family at this distressing time.'"

12.24pm UPDATE

The body which was discovered in the river close to the Cornmill this morning has now been recovered by a special waterborne unit from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

The railway itself, which remained closed for a few hours, has now been allowed to re-open, along with the Food Festival stalls on the station approach road.

The food festival is going ahead normally, with people flocking to all venues, including the Town Hall, the stalls behind the former Ectarc off East Street, the band hut in Parade Street and Centenary Square where there is a programme of live music.

As the section of the Riverside Park walkway from the town to the Princess Street steps was closed people wishing to visit the food stalls and live music around the bandstand had to make their way by other routes. The walkway is now open.

* A fire and rescue service vehicle parked near the Cornmill earlier.

Original story ...

Police are dealing with a major incident in the centre of Llangollen this morning (Saturday).

On the first day of the annual Food Festival there are currently at least eight police vehicles and an ambulance positioned around the Castle Street and bridge area. 

At one stage earlier the bridge was completely closed but is now open with police officers directing traffic.

A section of the walkway in Riverside park close to the Cornmill has also been cordoned off with police officers duty at both ends.  Officers could be seen talking to a number of people. 

One officer simply said they were dealing with an incident but gave no further details.

There are unconfirmed suggestions that a body may have been found in the river.

Pip Gale, chair of the Food Festival, said he did not know how the situation would affect the event.

"The traders are all set up at the various venues across the town but, as yet, we don't know exactly how this will affect us."  

* llanblogger will give further updates as the incident develops.

Police have now posted on their Facebook page: "*** LLANGOLLEN ***

A number of main roads in the centre of Llangolen are closed at present due to an ongoing incident. Please avoid the area."

* Police have cordoned off a section of the walkway from the town to the park. 

* An ambulance waiting in Parade Street.