Minchin, Davies and Manford on the bill

Peter Kay is to host this year’s Royal Variety Performance, it has been announced.

Other comics on the bill of the Lowry Theatre in Salford on December 5 will be Jason Manford, Greg Davies, Tim Minchin, Omid Djalili, Jimeoin and The Boy With Tape On His Face.

It will take place in front of the Princess Royal – the first time in 20 years that the event has not been attended by the Queen or the Prince of Wales.

The show will be screened on ITV after the broadcaster signed a ten-year deal to air the event.

Other performers include Barry Manilow, Tony Bennett, operatic group Il Divo, magicians Penn & Teller and Britain's Got Talent winner Jai McDowall.

Laurie Mansfield, life president of the Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund, which the benefits from the gig, said: ‘The greatest artists in entertainment have always featured on the Royal Variety Performance and this year is no exception.’

Kay previously hosted the Royal Variety Performance in 2009.

Published: 16 Nov 2011