Variety is the spice of life...
AITV, 8pm FTER a year of no theatre, live music or comedy, enjoy this old-school variety show that packs in dozens of performances, no doubt inspiring viewers to snap up theatre tickets for 2021.
Jason Manford hosts the big-name event at the Blackpool Opera House, with Prince Charles the special guest of honour... albeit by video link.
It’s been nine years since the show has been in the north, and a line up of world-class performers have been booked.
There’s a solo from British superstar Gary Barlow, music from Brit Award winner – and singer of that John Lewis ad – Celeste, as well as Spice Girl Mel C and Steps.
Captain Sir Tom Moore himself, the 100-year-old who captured the nation’s hearts this year, joins (from his home) as Michael Ball and the NHS choir take to the
stage to sing their charttopping anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone. The evening heralds the return of musical theatre with an exclusive performance from Sheridan Smith as the leading lady in Cilla The Musical, as well as an icy exclusive
from Frozen the Musical starring Samantha Barks.
Watch out also for magic from Stephen Mulhern, acrobatics from Kenyan troupe The Black Blues Brothers, a belter from West End sensation Marisha Wallace and a specially composed piece from Britain’s Got Talent winner Jon Courtenay.
Host Jason says: “It’s been a hugely difficult year for everybody, so I hope that for a couple of hours on a cold winter’s night in Blackpool, we
can take people’s minds off things and do what us Brits do best – have a laugh.”