The Royal Variety Performance 2024 | Preview (ITV1)

Amanda Holden and Alan Carr are to host the world’s longest running entertainment show The Royal Variety Performance as it returns to the magnificent Royal Albert Hall in London for a spectacular evening, in the presence of Their Majesties, King Charles III and Queen Camilla. 

 The show will feature an award winning performance from singer Sydnie Christmas, the winner of this year’s Britain’s Got Talent, who will be accompanied by Dave Arch and The Royal Variety orchestra and there’ll be plenty more stellar performances from the worlds of music, theatre, comedy and variety.

Elton John and David Furnish will introduce an eye-catching number from their brand new musical ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ with star Vanessa Williams and cast.  

There will be an exclusive medley from Cameron Mackintosh’s eagerly awaited production of the much loved musical Oliver! and a jaw-dropping performance from the company of Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash hit musical Starlight Express.

With more music and making their Royal Variety debuts, this year’s Eurovision winner Nemo, treble Brit Award winner James Bay and disco Queen Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who will be performing her latest hit and much-loved classic 'Murder on The Dance Floor', will all be taking to the stage.

On the eve of their 50th anniversary, America's world class magicians and comedy duo Penn and Teller will be flying in especially for the show, plus, presenter and magician Stephen Mulhern will be wowing the Royals with an incredible illusion.   

As they celebrate their 40th anniversary, Cirque Du Soleil will be performing a world exclusive from their Vegas show ‘Ovo’, and the English National Ballet will perform ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’ from their eagerly awaited Christmas production of ‘Nutcracker’.

Stand up comedy this year will be provided by Ellie Taylor of Ted Lasso fame, political comic Matt Forde who will give a review of the year, plus writer and comic Scott Bennett and award winning Scottish comedian Larry Dean.

Set to make a very special appearance on this year's show is Lorraine Kelly with her Change and Check Choir led by iconic singing star Marti Pellow.  They will perform 'Love Is All Around'  which is celebrating its 30th anniversary and is being re-released to raise awareness of breast cancer early detection. 

The choir comprises women from across the UK who detected their breast cancer through Lorraine's trail-blazing campaign.  They will also be joined by some surprise special guests.

The team behind the smash hit ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ will be debuting a sneak preview and the first public performance of their hilarious brand new West End show ‘The Comedy About Spies’ which comes to the West End next year.

Plus, American actress and singer Marisha Wallace will perform a show stopping number and also lead this year’s National Anthem accompanied by the Fanfare Trumpeters of the Band of the Welsh Guards.

Alan Carr said: “I am completely thrilled to be asked back to host the Royal Variety Performance so soon, what a compliment and an honour! To be able to host this magical evening with my best friend and tv wife Amanda Holden is the icing on the cake for me. If I have half as much fun as I did three years ago, well we are all in for a real treat.”

Amanda Holden said: “It truly is such an honour to be hosting the Royal Variety Performance this year. I’m still pinching myself! This is a dream job and Alan is a true friend, we are already bursting with ideas and excitement, it’s going to be such a fun night! I’ve worked on Britain’s Got Talent for 18 years and have been so proud watching all our winners perform for the Royal Family. This year will be no different, so in the words of Sydnie Christmas, let’s av it!”

The event is staged in aid of the Royal Variety Charity. The money raised from the show helps those people from the world of entertainment in need of care and assistance and this year the charity has launched an initiative to help those with mental health issues.

The Royal Variety Performance airs Sunday 15th December at 8pm on ITV1.