TOP DJ Charlie Hedges has shared her excitement ahead of her appearance at Bradford Dance Festival, which gets underway today.

Hedges, who presents Dance Anthems and from Monday the mid-morning show on BBC Radio 1, is one of the top names on the bill for the festival at Odsal Stadium.

She will play an evening slot at the inaugural event, and headlines the festival alongside Bradford superstars Bad Boy Chiller Crew and leading DJ Nathan Dawe, who has more than 500 million streams on his tracks.

Ahead of today's event, which gets underway at 1pm, Charlie Hedges spoke exclusively to the Telegraph & Argus to share her excitement at the return of live music and how much she is looking forward to coming to Bradford.

On the return of live music, she said: "I am so excited to be playing to a beautiful crowd again.

"I've been lucky enough to play a few festivals over the last couple of weeks, Boardmasters included, and it's just a joy to see everyone having a great time.

"It's so important for us all because music has the ability to bring us all even closer together.

"The excitement you get being in the middle of a crowd at a festival is just such a buzz and I can't wait to DJ but also rave with everyone before and after too."

Bad Boy Chiller Crew are set to send the crowd wild at Odsal as they return to their hometown after two huge gigs at Reading and Leeds Festivals, as their meteoric rise to fame in 2021 continues.

The local favourites have a sold out tour coming up and their own TV series, and Ms Hedges is excited to see the boys and all the other acts in front of their fans.

"I'm super excited for Bad Boy Chiller Crew to perform in their home town, its an incredible lineup.

"I'm buzzing to be alongside all the amazing artists and acts. I know Bradford is going to bring so much energy and I just can't wait to be a part of that."

A limited number of tickets are still available for the festival from bradforddancefestival.co.uk

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@telegraphandargus.co.uk