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18-01-01 news
Van Morrisson no show for Bush...

Northern Irish singer Van Morrison will not be performing at President-elect George W Bush's inauguration ceremony today (today) a spokesman for the star has confirmed. The Belfast-born musician who is married to former Irish model Michelle Rocha was reported to be among a number of celebrities, including teenage star Charlotte Church and Latin singer Ricky Martin, booked to perform at the event in Washington DC.

But Morrison, best known for hits such as Moondance and Brown Eyed Girl, has adamantly denied he will be taking part in the gala for the new President. A spokesman for the 65-year-old singer said: "Reports that Van Morrison will be performing or attending the gala are absolutely false.''

Welsh singing sensation Charlotte Church, who has already performed in front of President Bill Clinton, will be singing at the event.

Another British celebrity, Lord Lloyd-Webber, will play one of the songs from his hit musical set in Northern Ireland, The Beautiful Game. Lord Lloyd-Webber will be accompanied by one of the stars of the West End show, Josie Walker, and the multiracial choir of Washington School Children.

The show's lyricist Ben Elton was originally reported to be attending the event but the left-wing comic denied he had ever been invited. He said while he was happy for songs from the show to be performed he would never consider attending the event himself. "I know where my politics stand and they certainly do not stand alongside President Bush's but I am very proud of the song and I am very proud that the organisers of the event think it is relevant to them,'' he told Radio 4's Front Row programme.

PA wire services contributed to this story.