Elton, McCartney and Stevie Wonder set for virus TV special

Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder will perform in a live TV special, under the direction of Lady Gaga, to support healthcare workers in the fight against coronavirus.

Gaga and advocacy organisation, Global Citizen, have already raised $35million (£28m) in seven days, which will benefit the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, the singer said on Monday.

Now, they have announced the “One World: Together At Home,” event will be broadcast simultaneously on several US networks on Saturday 18 April, and it will be shown on BBC One on Sunday 19 April.

The TV special will also be streamed live on several social media platforms, including YouTube, Apple, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

During a news conference, Gaga said: “We want to highlight the gravity of this historical, unprecedented cultural movement, and we want to celebrate and encourage the power of the human spirit.”

She said she plans to raise more money, but explained that the TV special is not a fundraiser, adding: “Put your wallets away, and sit back and enjoy the show you all deserve.”

On its website, the WHO said the event is being put on “in celebration and support of healthcare workers, broadcast to feature real experiences from doctors, nurses and families around the world” following the pandemic.

It will be hosted by US comedians, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel, and will also highlight those affected by the virus.

Other big names on the line-up include, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, David Beckham, John Legend, Andrea Bocelli, Alanis Morissette, Keith Urban and Billie Eilish and her co-writer and producer brother, Finneas.

Idris Elba and his wife, Sabrina Elba – who both tested posted for coronavirus – will also take part in the special.

On Monday, the Department of Health said another 439 patients have died in the UK after contracting coronavirus – bringing the total to 5373.

The majority of deaths were in England.

The country’s chief medical officer has said it would be a “mistake” to discuss how the government will end the UK’s lockdown until it is certain the disease has peaked.

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At its daily news conference, Professor Chris Whitty joined Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and the government’s deputy chief scientific adviser, Dame Angela McLean, in refusing to discuss when – or how – stringent measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will be eased.

But Mr Raab insisted the “over-riding focus” was for the UK to “stop the spread and make sure we can get past the peak”.