JASON MANFORD TO HOST 2026 ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE AS ITV UNVEILS FULL LINE-UP
The world’s longest-running entertainment show The Royal Variety Performance in support of the Royal Variety Charity, returns to the magnificent Royal Albert Hall in London, in the presence of Their Majesties, King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Comedian, actor and presenter Jason Manford is hosting for his third time, making this his sixth appearance on The Royal Variety Performance in line with legends such as Tommy Cooper and Ken Dodd.
The King, who is the sole Patron of the Royal Variety Charity, will be watching alongside Queen Camilla, who will be attending the performance for the first time as The Queen.
As ever, the night promises a star-studded line-up of acts from the world of entertainment with this year’s show including: A TV world exclusive and sneak preview performance of ‘The Greatest Show’ from the highly anticipated West End musical, The Greatest Showman.
Multi-award winning Idina Menzel, the original Elphaba, who is flying in from the States to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Wicked with her rendition of ‘The Wizard & I’ as she is joined on stage by the musical's acclaimed composer Stephen Schwartz.
The Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir, who will be taking to the stage to perform a special song following their amazing Britain’s Got Talent performance which saw them become the first choir ever to win the show.
Music from Brit Award winner and Celebrity Traitors star James Blunt, and the legendary Vanessa Williams who will perform her massive hit ‘Save The Best For Last’. Plus, Jack Savoretti, who will make his Royal Variety debut, and maestro Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, who will make an exclusive appearance to celebrate 30 years since he first became an international superstar.
Ahead of its return to the West End, and marking 21 years since the stage musical first opened, the cast of Billy Elliot the Musical will perform the exceptional ‘Electricity’.
Surprise star cameos will also appear in a specially re-written version of ‘For Now’ and ‘It Sucks To Be Me’, from the outrageously funny musical Avenue Q and there’ll be a supersized medley straight from the current hit revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s classic Jesus Christ Superstar, led by Sam Ryder.
The exceptional The Ramadhani Brothers and head balancer Veronika Ivanova, from the breathtaking acrobatic circus show Cirque Alice, will make their European debuts. The evening will also feature comedy from surreal comedian and star of Mock The Week Milton Jones, as well as more laughs from comedian Phil Wang.
Plus the award-winning musical Operation Mincemeat will be bringing current and original cast members together as they are joined on stage by the Royal Naval Association Choir, members of The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines, The Band of the Irish Guards and the Band of the Welsh Guards Fanfare Team. And tenor Alfie Boe will lead the National Anthem.
Jason Manford said: “What a huge privilege to be asked to host The Royal Variety Performance for a third time. It’s an amazing line up, in aid of a wonderful charity so I can’t wait for everybody to see what surprises we have up our sleeves this year.”
Transmission details will be announced in due course.
