The Nobel Peace Prize concert attracts more celebrities

This year's Nobel Peace Prize concert attracts more celebrities.

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It reads like the itinerary for a glitzy, A-list event. And, over the years, the annual Nobel Peace Prize concert has certainly attracted it's fair share of celebrities.

This year's affair, which will be held in honour of the winner of the prize, the Chinese writer and political activist Liu Xiaobo, will be no different. The Oscar-nominated and Oscar-winning actors, Anne Hathaway and Denzel Washington, will be in charge of hosting duties. As for the entertainment? Step forward, veteran crooner Barry Manilow, Elvis Costello and Jamiroquai. Sure, it might seem a little odd for such a serious prize to be the subject of a full-on glitzy bash, but the concert has always delivered.

Last year's event - which saw the US president, Barak Obama, take home the prestigious title - was hosted by none other than the box-office king, Will Smith, and his wife, Jada. On the performance front, former Fugees band member Wyclef Jean was one of the many musicians who was invited to take part. Since the concert began as a regular event in 1994, the calibre of celebrities and musicians chosen to host and star in the event has (almost always) risen year after year. Performers over the years include Jason Mraz, who took part in the 2008 concert, and the popular country singer, Willie Nelson, who performed in 2002.

As for our favourite presenters? We reckon the 2004 concert, which was hosted by Oprah Winfrey and Tom Cruise, would have been quite the event. Sadly, though, no sofa-jumping was reported.