Gareth Gates will bridge the gap between classical and pop music when he performs at the CBBC Proms in the Park.

He will be accompanied by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and perform songs from musicals as well as a singing a duet with Will Young, who narrowly pipped him to TV's Pop Idol crown.

Nicholas Kenyon, the director of the BBC Proms, said it was hoped Gareth and Will would introduce a new generation to classical music after an opinion poll showed that 65 per cent of children aged between six and 14 could not identify even one classical composer.

"We have to recognise that there is no longer a dividing line between the classical and pop worlds. They're not in completely separate camps - there's an overlap," said Mr Kenyon.

Today Gareth, 18, a former Bradford cathedral choirboy, said he was delighted to have been asked to perform at the event at Hyde Park on Sunday, September 15, which is expected to attract tens of thousands of people.

"Performing live is really the best part of what I do and it's awesome to be asked to be part of such a legendary live event," he said. "As I started out in classical music, I think it's fantastic that the Proms are now featuring so many different kinds of performers, including pop."

He will sing Suspicious Minds with the orchestra and Beat Out That Rhythm on a Drum with the dynamic South African dance troupe Umoja.

Will is to perform Summertime from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess and together they will perform their version of the Beatles' The Long and Winding Road.

Other stars included in the line-up are diminutive pop stars S Club Juniors and this year's BBC Young Musician of the Year, 12-year-old violinist Jennifer Pyke.

The concert is the day after the Last Night of the Proms. It will be screened live on the CBBC Digital Channel and highlights will be screened later on CBBC.