ABC’s NYE programming will feature a 2-hour tribute to the late Dick Clark, right before its annual Rockin’ New Year special, hosted by Ryan Seacrest.

"I'd like to say I can imagine how it's going to feel, but I'm not quite sure," says Seacrest, quoted by The Associated Press. "I looked forward so much to each year that I did the show with him."

Seacrest is using the sad fact of Clark’s passing as motivation to make this year’s Rockin’ Eve better than ever in tribute. The presenter is reportedly hard at work, hammering out the “nitty-gritty” around the show, which will air from 8pm on the 31st, up until 2am on New Year’s Day. A host of A-list performance have already been booked, like Carly Rae Jepsen, Neon Trees, Flo Rida and Pitbull. Taylor Swift, who has arguably been one of 2012’s biggest success stories, will fill the headlining slot right before midnight. The show will air live, as usual, from Times Square in New York, but without Clark as a host there will undoubtedly have to be some changes.

"I definitely will say something about him, and it will be from the heart," Seacrest promises. "But the night will be, as he would want, a celebration of what's to come: Dick was always one to say, 'The show must go on.”