RADIO 1's Big Weekend is coming to Middlesbrough!

The major music festival will take place at Stewart Park on Bank Holiday Weekend Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26.

DJ Greg James, below, announced this year's festival location, and some of the artists expected to play on his breakfast show on Wednesday morning.

The Northern Echo:

Miley Cyrus, Little Mix, The 1975, Khalid, Zara Larsson and Mabel are scheduled to play the massive gig. 

James told listeners: "That is good, right?" before adding: "We are taking over Stewart Park. Why hello Middlesbrough, we are coming for you and we are bringing some of the biggest artists on the planet.

"We are so excited. I am so excited that we can now mention it. Stupidly, they told me ages ago man and it's been a nightmare.  I cannot keep a secret and I nearly said it yesterday. Now we can say it - Middlesbrough, Middlesbrough, Middlesbrough, Middlesbrough, Middlesbrough, Middlesbrough, Middlesbrough - we are bringing the Big Weekend to Middlesbrough.

"We are well excited and we hope you are too. Radio One is nothing without its brilliant listeners and every single year we like to bring a huge music festival to you to say thankyou for being part of the radio station. So that's alright isn't it, that."

James promised more announcements in the coming weeks.

He also said that ticket details were NOT YET available.

"Loads of people asking about tickets, no details as yet have been released," he said. "To find out how to get those tickets just got to keep listening over the next couple of weeks on Radio One."

Miley Cyrus

The Northern Echo:

Little Mix

The Northern Echo:

The 1975

The Northern Echo:

Zara Larsson

The Northern Echo:

Khalid
Mabel

One person who was happier than most at the announcement was caller Sam who entered a competition for tickets.

She entered in January without realising where the event was being held.

James got her on the phone shortly after the location was revealed.

"We were giving away tickets to anyone who wanted to enter the competition, completely at random," he said. "Sam, can you tell everyone where you actually live?"

An over-the-moon Sam replied: "In Middlesbrough, round the corner from Stewart Park."

"When you said Middlesbrough, everyone's faces in the studio just fell and they went 'Oh, God, what'," said James. "It's the stupidest coincidence ever that you are actually from Middlesbrough and we couldn't say to you 'It's bloody in Middlesbrough Sam, how did you know?'"

"We were like, 'people are going to think this is a fix'. This is ridiculous. And also you get travel and accommodation. But I suppose you will just stay at home, will you?"

Sam replied: "Yeah, you can all come for a party at my house."

The last time the festival had been in the region was back in 2005, it was held at Herrington Country Park, near Sunderland.

Reacting to the news, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: "I’m over the moon we’ve landed BBC’s Big Weekend right here in Middlesbrough, bringing some of the biggest music acts from across the world right to our doorstep.

"The Big Weekend is another major coup for us and it shows that promoters and organisers of these huge events are taking our area seriously. Now we’re ready to show off to music fans as we get the Tees Valley into the homes, and cars, of people across the country.

"As well as being a load of fun, this event alone is expected to attract 75,000 people to the town, meaning more people spending money in our shops, bars, hotels and restaurants. Each and every visitor to the Tees Valley will see for themselves what we’re all about, and why we’re a great place to live and visit.

"Just a few years ago, we wouldn’t have had the confidence to put ourselves forward as a location for massive gigs like this or bid for global competitions such as the Rugby League World Cup, let alone secure them."

HERE'S HOW PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REACTING TO THE NEWS: