Royal Variety comedians named

The comedians appearing on this year’s Royal Variety Performance have been announced today.

John Bishop, Sarah Millican, Micky Flanagan and Jack Whitehall will take to the stage of the London Palladium on December 7.

The show can provide a major boost to the careers of those taking part, if they appeal to the mainstream audience who might not normally watch stand-up shows on TV. They will perform in front of Prince Charles, and the show will be broadcast on prime-time BBC One a few days after the event.

Flanagan said: ‘It’s an absolute pleasure to be selected… and if things don’t work out with the comedy, I might have a word with Charles to see if I can get the contract for doing the windows at the palace.’

As previously announced, Michael McIntryre will host the show, becoming the youngest ever compere in its 84-year history at just 34. He said: ‘I got my big break at the Royal Variety Performance in 2006 and returned in 2008, but now to host it is such an honour and I'm unbelievably excited.’

Music will come from Take That, N-Dubz and Cheryl Cole, while Danielle Hope, winner of BBC talent hunt Over The Rainbow will join the cast of Les Miserables. Britain's Got Talent winners Spelbound, tenor Russell Watson, and Dancing On Ice skater Daniel Whiston are also scheduled to appear at the charity event in aid of the Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund.

Meanwhile, the BBC has brought the rights to McIntryre’s 2009 stand-up DVD, Hello Wembley! It will air an edited hour-long version of the show on Friday December 3. The disc has sold 1.5million copies in the last year.

Published: 10 Nov 2010