Press Release

BBC Radio 5 live will bring a whole host of programmes to Liverpool in the run-up to the biggest and most prestigious horse race in the world, the Grand National, on 9 April.

• Biggest-ever live show of Fighting Talk
• Meet BBC racing commentators
• See Radio 5 live shows broadcast live
• Full Grand National build-up and commentary

You can be part of the audience at the four days of events and programming that will be mainly staged at the City's newly renovated historic Epstein (formerly Neptune) Theatre. The station will bring live shows in front of audiences including the biggest-ever live broadcast of the hugely popular Fighting Talk in front of 2,000 people at Liverpool's Empire Theatre. Listeners can also meet and question the BBC's racing commentators.

Programmes will feature key broadcasts from Colin Murray, Richard Bacon and Tony Livesey offering listeners the chance to see the station in action at close hand. To obtain free tickets to the shows in Liverpool during the Grand National period visit bbc.co.uk/5live.

Kicking off the week on Wednesday 6 April between 8.00-9.15pm, Eleanor Oldroyd hosts a question and answer event at the Epstein Theatre with top names from BBC TV and Radio's Grand National teams. Clare Balding, former Grand National winning jockey Mick Fitzgerald, BBC Radio's racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght and BBC Radio 5 Live's racing commentator John Hunt comprise the panel who will give a glimpse behind the scenes at the BBC's racing set up, share some anecdotes from their years in racing and, of course, give some top tips on the big race itself.

On Thursday 7 April (2-4pm) Richard Bacon's show comes live from Aintree where he will meet race-goers and capture the atmosphere of this event. The show will also include commentary of the afternoon's big live races. Richard presents his usual mix of news sport and entertainment with a special Grand National themed show with key guests.

On Thursday evening (10.30pm-1.00am) Tony Livesey broadcasts live from the Epstein Theatre, setting the scene for the big race and featuring special guests in front of a live audience. There will be a lively debate on the impact of public spending cuts in Liverpool plus live music and comedy.

Colin Murray will host Kicking Off in 5 Live Sport on Friday night (7-9.15pm). The show will include the 2010 Grand National winner Tony McCoy.

At 8.30pm a live sports-based comedy, At The End Of The Day, made by Savvy Productions and commissioned through BBC North's Radio 5 Live Creative Kicker Fund Development Fund, will be performed live. The show will also feature the football preview with regulars including former Everton favourite Pat Nevin and Perry Groves.

On Saturday 9 April, the points-for-punditry show Fighting Talk comes from the Empire Theatre (11am-midday) in front of a record audience of 2,000 people. The broadcast will be simulcast on BBC Radio Merseyside. Colin Murray chairs this record-breaking broadcast as Everton fan Mike Parry makes his Fighting Talk debut alongside Bob Mills and Steve Bunce.

Radio 5 Live Controller Adrian Van Klaveren says: "The Grand National is a massive showpiece event that really excites the country. We'll be at the heart of the action throughout this great festival with large parts of Radio 5 Live In Liverpool to share the experience."

Full schedule of Radio 5 Live programming in Liverpool 6-9 April 2011

Wednesday 6 April
Meet the BBC racing team 8-9.15pm (Epstein Theatre Liverpool)

Thursday 7 April
Richard Bacon, 2pm (Aintree race course)
Tony Livesey, 10.30pm (Epstein Theatre Liverpool)

Friday 8 April
Kicking Off With Colin Murray, 7-9.15pm (Epstein Theatre, Liverpool)

Saturday 9 April
Fighting Talk With Colin Murray, 11am-midday (Empire Theatre, Liverpool)
5 Live Sport At The Grand National with Mark Chapman, 12noon-6pm with the big race itself live at 4.15pm (Aintree race course)

AB