All tickets for the event on the afternoon of Monday, 26th May were snapped up within minutes of going on release last week from the 241 Welsh rugby clubs and four regions as the nation took up the offer of saying a huge thank you to Warren Gatland’s squad.
Now the announcement by S4C and the Millennium Stadium that the event is to become a TV hour-long special means nobody will miss out on the memories.
The hour-long programme will be first screened on S4C on Thursday, 29th May at 8.25pm and shown again on Sunday, 1st June at 7.30pm. The programme will also be available to watch simultaneously on the S4C website http://www.s4c.co.uk/.
Stereophonics, Feeder, X Factor star Rhydian Roberts, Heather Small and Dafydd Iwan will all be performing on stage in the event which will also feature a host of celebrities appearing alongside the full Welsh Grand Slam squad.
TV’s Sarra Elgan will be the on stage presenter with Rhodri Owen capturing some of the behind the scenes magic for viewers.
Other surprise celebrity appearances will feature in the celebrations as Wales pays tribute to the Grand Slam 2008 heroes and Warren Gatland’s men get their opportunity to say “thank you” to the Welsh fans.
The party will feature a mixture of music, chat and big screen camera action plus appearances by representatives from some of the most successful teams in Welsh rugby last season.
Exclusive camera footage showing how the Wales squad celebrated victory inside the Grand Slam winning changing room will add to the party atmosphere.
Warren Gatland will give his views on the season so far and share a fascinating insight into preparations for the forthcoming tour of South Africa where Wales take on the World Champions in a two test series.
Stages are being erected on top of the famous Millennium Stadium turf to create a giant TV studio for the S4C show and 20,000 strong live audience.
Rhian Gibson, Director of Commissioning, S4C, said: “S4C is delighted to be playing a key part in the Grand Slam celebrations. Our partnership with the Welsh Rugby Union, our commitment to music coverage and our reputation as the channel of the Big Event will ensure that all the magic of this wonderful occasion will be made available to viewers in Wales and beyond.”
WRU Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis, added: “We are delighted that a broadcaster of the stature of S4C has secured the right to show this concert.
“We enjoy a rich rugby relationship with S4C and it is right and fitting that they now have the opportunity to be a key player in our Grand Slam celebrations. The interest in this Grand Slam party has been fantastic and we are thrilled to know that the whole of Wales and Welsh fans beyond our borders will now be able to enjoy all the fun.
“Behind the scenes an enormous amount of work has been going on to make sure this party is a great occasion and I know it will be. Now that it is going to be on TV nobody will have to miss out.
“We have the talent here in Wales to celebrate success in style so I am delighted the likes of Stereophonics, Feeder, Rhydian and Heather Small are going to feature.
“As soon as the Grand Slam was won the WRU were determined to give the team a chance to thank the fans and allow the fans to show their appreciation of what this team has achieved so far on their journey to the next Rugby World Cup.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the WRU to say a big thank you to the fans and for our great supporters to thank the Welsh team for all they have achieved.
The event is being staged and produced for broadcast by Push 4/Avanti.
