Variety packed
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are treated to an amazing night full of comedy, spectacle and song
APPARENTLY it’s the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who are in the house, representing the Crown for this year’s big show. A fact which could well be exploited by the comedian hosts Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan, thinking that if it’s the cool young Royals, they can get away with humour that’s a little bit nearer the knuckle.
Mind you, this is still pre-watershed, family-friendly fun, so there won’t be anything too outrageous going down at the London Palladium. And let’s hope Wills and Kate have got comfy chairs in the Royal box, as it’s a long old show packed with a hell of a lot of entertainment.
There will, of course, be this year’s Britain’s Got Talent winner – 89-year-old Chelsea pensioner Colin Thackeray, who’ll be belting out a classic tune or two. And there’ll be other crooners in the shape of Robbie Williams and Jamie Cullum, teaming up for a duet from Robbie’s new Christmassy album, as well as Harry
Connick Jr, Luke Evans, Mabel, Emeli Sandé and the Bee Vocal choir from Manchester, and chart-topper Lewis Capaldi.
The award-winning cast of Mary Poppins will give a supercalifragilistic performance, there’ll be a big number from West End smash Come From Away, and the jaw-dropping acrobatic dance will come from America’s Got Talent favourites Zurcaroh and Cirque Du Soleil’s Luzia.
The laughs will be provided by our two hosts, as well as comedy act Flo & Joan, the cast of Groan Ups, and stand-ups Kerry Godliman, and Frank Skinner.