Beeb makes Coronation Concert stars work for free

Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and co even had to pay for their flights!

WITH its spectacular Windsor Castle backdrop and drone light show, you can hardly accuse the Coronation Concert last sunday of lacking ambition.

However the BBC was unexpectedly stingy to the stars who performed — insisting there would be no payment for their services.

Take that, katy Perry ( pictured), Lionel Richie and steve Winwood all performed for free.

Instead, the Beeb made ‘a contribution’ to expenses. However, celebs were told that Auntie would not pick up the tab for any air travel, meaning it actually cost some of those taking to the stage to cross the ocean to perform. Both katy Perry and Lionel Richie are believed to have travelled to the Uk by private jet.

BBC studios also provided a hair and make-up team to work on all artists. those who wanted to bring their own — including katy Perry — had to fund this themselves. Perry, the fiancee of British actor Orlando Bloom, dazzled on the night in a gold gown by the British label Vivienne Westwood. it was reported that her 50-strong entourage, including dancers, stylists and lighting specialists, took up five dressing rooms.

Her mother, Mary, also came with her, and the two of them got to spend the night at the castle as one of the perks of appearing. Before the show Perry said: ‘i’m really excited . . . i might be posting a lot because i’m gonna be in a castle, for real. this is wild.’ she and Richie were also among the congregation in Westminster Abbey at the Coronation. the concert was produced by the BBC’s commercial arm, BBC studios, and was sold to 100 countries around the world. Meanwhile, i hear the after-party at Windsor Castle was a muted affair. Neither the king nor Queen showed up, as they were filming a sketch with Perry and Richie for American idol.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were there, however, and the event broke up quietly after around an hour of champagne, canapes and polite conversation.