LIONEL Richie and Duran Duran have today been named as among the headline acts that will be appearing at next year's Isle of Wight Festival.

This year's event had to be cancelled because of the Covid-19 crisis but the hugely-popular festival will once again feature an all-star line-up when it returns next summer.

Lionel Richie will co-headline the main stage alongside GRAMMY and BRIT Award-nominated man of the moment Lewis Capaldi.

The Script, Jess Glynne, Carly Rae Jepsen, Mavis Staples, The Snuts and The Alarm will also be among those taking part.

Lionel said: I was really excited to be playing at The Isle of Wight Festival this summer and like so many of us I was very sad that so many things have had to be delayed.

"Obviously everyone’s health and safety comes first.

"I’m now looking forward to it even more and know we’ll all have such an incredible night of partying together. It's a festival steeped in music history - Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones have all headlined and I'm honoured to be joining the esteemed list."

Duran Duran will close the main stage on the Sunday night.

Over their illustrious four decades-long career, the British music icons have sold more than 100 million records, had 18 American hit singles, 21 UK Top 20 tunes and continue to perform to huge concert audiences around the world.

Their follow-up to the critically-acclaimed, Top 10 album Paper Gods (2015) will be revealed later this year and will feature collaborations with Erol Alkan, Mark Ronson, Giorgio Moroder, Graham Coxon and Lykke Li.

A festival spokesman said: "Duran Duran will see out the 2021 event in style with a thrilling set only these purveyors of triumphant pop music can deliver."

Saturday's co-headliners will be Snow Patrol, who have amassed more than 17 million global album sales.

They will joined by Pete Tong who will bring the spirit of Ibiza to Seaclose Park as he closes the main stage on Saturday night with his Ibiza Classics alongside the Heritage Orchestra conducted by Jules Buckley ft. Maxi Jazz of Faithless.

Snow Patrol said: "Like everyone, we're missing live music and festivals and the moment so we're excited to get back and play The Isle of Wight Festival in 2021. We always have so much fun at this festival every time we’ve played it - see you there."

The event will also feature All Saints, Are You Experienced? (Jimi Hendrix tribute), Asylums, Balcony, Becky Hill, Donna Missal, Dylan John Thomas, Ella Henderson, Example, FooR , Happy Mondays, James Arthur, James Vincent McMorrow, Joy Crookes, Kaiser Chiefs, Lightning Seeds, LONA, Lyra, Maisie Peters, Maxïmo Park, Megan McKenna, Natasha Bedingfield, New Rules, Primal Scream, Razorlight, Rebecca Hurn, Roachford, Rothwell, Sam Feldt (LIVE), Sam Fender, Seasick Steve, Shed Seven, Sigma (DJ set), Supergrass, The Manor and You Me At Six.

Pete Tong is also due to appear..

He said: "Playing at the 2020 Isle Of Wight Festival was definitely going to be one of the highlights of the year. Sadly Covid-19 has stopped that happening but absolutely thrilled that we have been invited back and that there are only 372 days to go...we are counting down."

Jess Glynne is also looking forward to the festival.

She said: The Isle of Wight Festival and Jess Glynne have unfinished business and both are delighted that she will be returning next year. Jess is coming back for her fans and will have a show for you that will not disappoint, so get ready!"

Hailed by NPR as “one of America’s defining voices of freedom and peace,” Mavis Staples is the kind of once-in-a-generation artist whose impact on music and culture would be difficult to overstate.

She’s both a Blues and a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer; a civil rights icon; a GRAMMY Award-winner; a chart-topping soul/gospel/R&B pioneer; and a Kennedy Center honoree. She marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., performed at John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, and sang in Barack Obama’s White House. She’s collaborated with everyone from Prince and Bob Dylan to Arcade Fire and Hozier, blown away countless festival goers from Glastonbury to Lollapalooza, and graced the airwaves on Fallon, Colbert, Ellen, Austin City Limits, Jools Holland, the GRAMMYs, and more.

The Snuts have been garnering a massive following in the UK.

The band said: "We are absolutely delighted to be joining the Isle of Wight Festival family in 2021! It will be our first time at the festival and we plan to do it in style."