Hannah Waddingham is set to perform the National Anthem at the Formula 1 British Grand Prix as star says she's 'deeply privileged'

Hannah Waddingham is set to perform the National Anthem at the Formula 1 Qatar Airways 2024 British Grand Prix, with the star stating she's 'deeply privileged' by the honour. 

The Ted Lasso actress, 49, will take to the stage to sing God Save the King at the famous Silverstone racecourse on Sunday 7 July.

In a statement released on Thursday, Hannah said of her upcoming big moment: 'It’s the most enormous “pinch-me” moment to perform the National Anthem ahead of this year’s race. I feel deeply privileged. 

The atmosphere and excitement at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix last year was utterly electric and I can’t wait to be a part of it again. I am immensely proud of my British roots and I will remember this honour all my life.'

The Emmy winner added went on to pledge her support for British drivers Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Lando Norris.

She said: ''I’ll of course be cheering on our British drivers - The mighty Lewis, George and Lando… C’mon Chaps! Let’s DO this!'

Hannah will certainly be in good company at the event as the four-day festival line-up will also see rockers Kings Of Leon will open proceedings on Thursday.

British rapper Stormzy will headline on Friday, while on Saturday, fans will be for a treat when Pete Tong presents Ibiza Classics with Jules Buckley and The Essential Orchestra.

Other performers during the four-day event at the home of British motorsport include he Snuts, Self Esteem, Jordss, Ghetts, Anna De Ferran and Arielle Free.

Performer Hannah has previously starred in West End musicals like The Wizard of Oz, A Little Night Music and Into the Woods before finding global fame on Apple TV's Ted Lasson.

She also currently stars in Universal Pictures' The Fall Guy and Sony’s The Garfield Movie, with the latter seeing her revisit her singing days with her performance of the track I'm Back.

Hannah She recently opened up about her journey to stardom, explaining that all she wanted was a chance to show what she could do.

Hannah has said that she was never motivated by fame or fortune and her dedication to reaching the top stemmed from a thirst to prove herself. 

The mother-of-one began her career on the stage in 1998, performing in several West End shows and being twice nominated for an Olivier Award.

However, she said when she wanted to make the transition to screen she struggled with being 'drenched with buckets of imposter syndrome'.

Speaking to The Mirror, she said that she was 'desperate' to be taken seriously as an actress and be given 'a chance'.

After a string of small roles on My Family, Benidorm and Bad Education, Hannah landed the role of Septa Unella, in one of the world's biggest shows, Game of Thrones in 2015.

Hannah recalled: 'I'm a big believer in manifestation and I did say, 'Look, I think I've been knocking about for a while now – can I please have something that will show everything that I feel like I'm capable of?'

'And then being able to have the chance to not have to show everything very quickly, like within a scene or within an episode or whatever… that's the bit that I found most satisfying. Not fame, not money. 

'But the actual thing of being taken seriously on screen has been the thing that I was just desperate for.'

She added: 'I'd spoken to my agent a while before and said, 'I feel like I've earned my stripes. I don't want to be constantly feeding into other people's storylines all the time. I've had enough of that.'

'And it's nothing to do with fame or money – you don't start in theatre for fame or money. Its to do with knowing your worth. There's that line between arrogance and knowing your worth. And I had found my worth and thought, 'No, I can bloody do this, thank you very much. Just give me a chance.'