Variety Performance for Read and Amos

The pair will perform for the Queen and Prince Philip at next week’s event, to be staged in Liverpool to mark the beginning of the city’s year as European Capital of Culture.

Read will be performing alongside the animated six-year-old stand-up he created, Little Howard, pictured.

Also on the bill are more established acts Al Murray, Joan Rivers and Russell Brand – who may have to tone down his often explicit act for royal consumption.

Jimmy Tarbuck, whose first Royal Variety Show was 43 years ago, will be representing British comedy’s old guard.

Monday’s show, in aid of the Variety Artistes Benevolent Fund, will be recorded by ITV to air later in December.

Also on the bill are Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, James Blunt, Bon Jovi and Britain’s Got Talent winner Paul Potts.

Executive producer Mark Wells said: ‘It’s great to be going to Liverpool in 2007. Entertainment, like football, is in the city’s blood and I know the Liverpool audience will make us feel very welcome for what is still the greatest night of entertainment in the year.’

Published: 28 Nov 2007