X Factor to front real-time story on Radio 2 of JFK's assassination marking 50th anniversary of US President's death

The assassination of John F Kennedy is to be recreated in an historic three-hour primetime programme on Radio 2 - fronted by X Factor host Dermot O'Leary.
In a departure from his usual light entertainment role, O'Leary has been chosen alongside current affairs presenter Jeremy Vine to host the three-hour broadcast on November 22, the 50th anniversary of the US president's death.
It will feature live singers and a band performing poignant songs from the United States civil rights era, with the story being told minute-by-minute, starting with the departure of the Presidential motorcade from Dallas Love Field airport shortly before midday local time. 
It will finish with vice-president Lyndon B Johnson being sworn in as President on Air Force One three hours later.
O’Leary - who is reported to have a passion for history - said the story had an additional personal resonance for him because his parents in Co Wexford had met President Kennedy on a journey to trace his Irish family roots.
'They shook his hand,' he said. 'I spoke to my dad about the assassination and he said it was a proper standstill moment. The moon landings and JFK getting shot were the two big moments for that generation.'
Largely known as an entertainment presenter, O’Leary described his role as 'wingman' to the 'gravitas' of Vine, a news and current affairs specialist.
The X Factor presenter is a passionate fan of history and said he would like to make further documentaries as part of the BBC's commemoration of the centenary of the First World War
The presenter has also talked to the BBC about a potential project tracing the front line of the Battle of the Somme, which stretched from the North Sea to Switzerland.
Bob Shennan, controller of Radio 2, said the BBC would broadcast the events at the time of day they happened – the shooting in Dealey Plaza occurred at 6.30pm British time.
'The listeners are very familiar with the tale but they be will be able to experience how that story unfolded in real time exactly 50 years on and that will give it a sense of frisson,' he told The Independent.
The ambitious project follows the BBC’s real-time broadcast of the sinking of the Titanic on the centenary of the catastrophe in April last year.
That story, also featuring the narration of Vine and O’Leary, used live performance of the music of the ship’s orchestra as a soundtrack. The documentary won the Grand Award at the New York Festival for the world’s best radio programmes.