BBC ANNOUNCE STAR-STUDDED LINE-UP FOR EARTHSHOT PRIZE CEREMONY

The Earthshot Prize has announced the star-studded line up for first-ever Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony hosted in London, to be filmed at Alexandra Palace and broadcast on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and globally on Discovery's Facebook page on Sunday 17th October.

Created by Prince William and The Royal Foundation, The Earthshot Prize has led an unprecedented global search for the most inspiring and innovative solutions to the greatest environmental challenges facing the planet.

Hosted by Clara Amfo and Dermot O’Leary, the event will be introduced by Prince William. It will also feature Sir David Attenborough, who will speak about the importance of The Earthshot Prize and his optimism in our ability to rise to the greatest environmental challenges of our time.

The ceremony will feature unforgettable performances from globally renowned artists Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, KSI and Yemi Alade, and Shawn Mendes. Coldplay’s performance, from outside the Alexandra Palace, will use energy powered by 60 cyclists.

The five winners of The Earthshot Prize will be announced by a line-up of presenters including The Duchess of Cambridge, Emma Thompson, Emma Watson, David Oyelowo and Mo Salah. Each winning solution will be awarded £1 million in Prize funding to help support and scale these ingenious innovations, with the potential to repair our planet.

Clara Amfo says: "I'm delighted to be co-hosting the inaugural Earth Shot Prize Ceremony. We’re at a critical time in our planet’s history, our habits are changing slowly but surely however, we can always learn and - most importantly - do more. I hope this inspiring award boosts us to continue to do better by our glorious earth. The individuals being honoured are truly pioneering and will make a long lasting difference. I look forward to us all feeling energised and ready to join them in improving life for all of us."

Dermot O’Leary says: "I am incredibly excited to be hosting the inaugural Earthshot Prize awards ceremony. I have been so inspired by the 15 finalists and the ground-breaking work that they have all been doing. Their innovation encourages hope for future generations and our planet, it is wonderful to be a part of such a major push for change."

Jack Bootle, BBC Head of Commissioning, Science and Natural History, says: "I’m delighted that the BBC is broadcasting the first ever Earthshot Prize awards ceremony. With the world about to descend on Glasgow for COP26, there couldn’t be a more critical time to be celebrating the fight against climate change. The ceremony promises to be an evening of excitement, music and stardust - and the winners might just go on to change the world!"

The Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony will be hosted in London and broadcast on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and globally on Discovery's Facebook page on Sunday 17th October.