The announcement was made at a Festival preview held at the House of Commons, hosted by Lichfield Festival’s principal partner, London Midland, and introduced by Michael Fabricant MP, himself an enthusiastic supporter and Patron of Lichfield Festival.

Speaking at the event, Tony Hadley said, “This is the first arts charity I’ve been invited to support and I was delighted to be asked. For me, the importance of supporting the arts is in the impact that it has on individuals of all ages. I know Lichfield well through family connections and I’m really excited to see where my patronage of the Lichfield Festival will lead in the future.”

He strengthens the Festival’s line-up of existing patrons: Lichfield MP and arts enthusiast Michael Fabricant MP; the celebrated former cellist, now Principal of Birmingham Conservatoire, Julian Lloyd Webber; and Russian conductor and artistic director of St Petersburg’s famous Mariinsky Theatre, Valery Gergiev.

Lichfield Festival is one of the region’s leading cultural organisations and attracts around 40,000 visitors annually with its vibrant mix of music, theatre, film, comedy, talks, family events and visual arts, offering something for everyone.

Helen Wiser, Chair of Lichfield Festival said, “We couldn’t be more thrilled that Tony Hadley has accepted the invitation to become a Patron. Tony’s support really helps emphasise the Festival’s broad appeal and wide-ranging programming as we continue to reach wider audiences. We’re really looking forward to working with him.”

This year’s Lichfield Festival runs from 7th-15th July with headline performers including Rich Hall, Juliet Stevenson, Seth Lakeman, The Halle orchestra, Sir Tony Robinson, Dame Evelyn Glennie and the BBC Concert Orchestra. For more information visit www.lichfieldfestival.org