James Blunt, Andrea Bocelli and Idina Menzel to headline Royal Variety Performance 2026
Comedian Jason Manford will host for the third time, while there will also be performances from the likes of Vanessa William and Jack Savoretti
The line-up for the Royal Variety Performance 2026 will be headlined by Andrea Bocelli, James Blunt and Idina Menzel.
Celebrity Traitors star Blunt will take to the stage alongside former Desperate Housewives actor Vanessa Williams, who will deliver her 1992 hit Save The Best For Last.
Italian tenor Bocelli will perform as part of celebrations marking his three decades as an international star.
Menzel, the original Elphaba in Wicked, will sing The Wizard & I accompanied by the musical's composer, Stephen Schwartz.
Comedian Jason Manford returns to host for a third time, marking his sixth total appearance on the broadcast alongside legends Tommy Cooper and Ken Dodd.
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.”
Singer Jack Savoretti is set to make his Royal Variety debut, while Sam Ryder leads a medley from the revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical Jesus Christ Superstar.
Ahead of its return to the West End, the cast of Billy Elliot the Musical will perform the song Electricity.
There will also be a preview performance of The Greatest Show from the upcoming West End musical The Greatest Showman.
Britain’s Got Talent winners The Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir will perform after becoming the first choir to ever win the show this year.
The evening will also feature comedy from Mock The Week star Milton Jones as well as comedian Phil Wang.
Acrobatic duo The Ramadhani Brothers and head balancer Veronika Ivanova from the circus show Cirque Alice will make their European debuts during the performance.
The musical Operation Mincemeat will bring 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.
Tenor Alfie Boe will also lead the national anthem.
The Royal Variety Performance 2026 will air in December.
