HEAR'SAY'S Suzanne Shaw is set to perform alongside a host of big names at the BBC's rival to the Brit Awards, it has been announced.

The 19-year-old from Bury will form part of a line-up for the station's inaugural Top of the Pops Awards which promises to include 12 international acts.

Although Beeb chiefs are keeping tight lipped about the full line-up, speculation is rife that controversial rapper Eminem could made an appearance.

The show will take place at Manchester's Arena, where the top US star was famously heckled by gay protesters and women groups.

Eminem -- whose alter ego is Slim Shady -- was also investigated for allegedly taking drugs on stage.

BBC bosses are currently playing a waiting game to see which acts they can attract from America, a country still reeling from last week's terrorism attacks.

Bands confirmed include Westlife, Hear'Say and Atomic Kitten.

They will be joined by dozens of other celebrities and pop acts as the Beeb launches what it hopes will become music's premier prize.

Other channels such as MTV already have respected award ceremonies but in Britain and the Brit Awards has become the country's most eagerly awaited music event.

The Top of the Pops Awards was launched yesterday by Chris Cowey, executive producer and director of TOTP, and presenter Jamie Theakston.

It has been heralded as a "major international event" and is expected to attract millions of viewers worldwide when it airs in early December.

BBC chiefs have already pencilled in 12 performances from international stars and promise there will be some "interesting collaborations".

They promise that the event, on November 30, will attract the biggest names in pop either to perform or collect their gongs.

Manchester, according to Mr Cowey, was chosen as host because it was the birthplace of Top of the Pops in 1964.

He said the annual event would rival ITV's Brit awards and added: "You've got the Brits on one hand and the Smash Hits Awards on the other. this is going to be the best of both worlds.

"Top of the Pops is more relevant today than ever. There's no bigger name in the world of music television and there's be no bigger event than the Top of the Pops Awards.

"This is a chance for everyone to celebrate the very best in popular music."

Theakston said the event would be his biggest challenge to date.

He said: "I'm really excited about it. I have done some big events in the past but I think this is the biggest and the most exciting.

"The people I have spoken to and the bands I have spoken to are really keen to play at it."

Tickets for the awards went on sale today from the MEN Arena box office on 0161 930 8000 at £21.50.

The long-running show was launched on January 1, 1964, from a converted church in Manchester.

It was hosted by DJ Jimmy Saville and since then there have been more than 1,900 shows.

The format has always been simply to chart the songs in the Top 40.

It began with the Rolling Stones who were at number 13 with 'I Wanna Be Your Man'.

At the time, their rivals The Beatles were number one with 'I Want to Hold Your Hand'.

Every show was initially put out live which posed problems of bands not turning up.

It led to the formation of the TOTP dancers including the Go-Jos and, more famously, Pan's People.

Dancers were dumped when music videos became mainstream.

Top of the Pops moved south in 1967 because BBC bosses decided the logistics of transporting bands north was proving too difficult.

Radio One DJs including Simon Dee and Kenny Everett were drafted in but the format remained the same.

Yet it was the 1980s when the show really began to take off -- and even begin to dictate band's chart positions.

According to the BBC, an appearance on the show often decided where it would enter the following week.

In 1998, on May 1, the show was launched in its current format with presenter Jamie Theakston.

It will move back to Television Centre on October 18 after an absence of 10 years.