Mega star Leona Lewis made an appearance at the Hackney Empire today – to launch BBC Radio 1’s biggest ever live music event on Hackney Marshes for the opening weekend of London 2012 festival.

The diva who grew up in Hackney and won The X-Factor talent contest was joined by Hackney-born World and European Triple Jump Champion Phillips Idowu, East London’s award winning artist and actor Plan B and Radio 1/1Xtra DJ Trevor Nelson MBE – all of whom will champion the event as Ambassadors.

‘BBC Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend 2012’ will feature six BBC stages and 100,000 people will be able to attend - for free - across the weekend, with the majority of the tickets being allocated to people living in Hackney and the surrounding boroughs.

Leona and Plan B will also perform at next year’s event along with over 80 international and UK artists, bands and DJs - making it the biggest multi-artist line up ever for Radio 1.

Leona said: “To be a part of this event is so important to me. I’m so excited about the opportunities and the excitement that it will bring to the area.

“Radio 1 are going to put on the biggest show in their history and it’s happening in East London - I couldn’t be happier.”

The event’s ambassadors will be involved with the outreach work, linking with schools, colleges and organisations in Hackney and the surrounding boroughs in the lead-up to the event.

The six stages will include the Radio 1 Main Stage, the 1Xtra Arena, the In New Music We Trust Stage and the BBC Introducing Stage.

In the weeks leading up to the June event, there will be a programme of Radio 1 and 1Xtra music activity in the area and a number of new local East London acts will have the chance to play at the event.