...but she's NOT the first woman to do so

Miranda Hart is to host this year’s Royal Variety Performance.

Fellow comic Tom Allen will be making his debut on the show, while Jason Manford will be making his third appearance.

She is being billed as the first female host of the annual show in its 105-year history.

However, Noele Gordon actually holds that honour, according to the Royal Variety Charity website, having hosted it in 1974. 

It was also hosted by Cilla Black in 1993 and 1994, Emma Forbes in 2001 and Cat Deeley in 2003.

An ITV spokeswoman told the Press Association that Hart is the first woman to host the entire show on her own ‘in this way’.

Hart said: ‘If you don't mind me, I am just going to smash a glass ceiling and be the first woman to host the Royal Variety. That felt good.

‘It’s thrilling for me because of that, and because I am hugely proud to be part of such an important event in our comedy and variety heritage as the Royal Variety Performance.’

‘The young-wannabe- comedian me who watched the show every year, would be just as excited to hear that grown-up me is going to be hosting - only I'll be doing it without the 1970s pudding bowl haircut that made me look like a young male monk!’

Hart had been due to host the high-profile gig last year, but pulled out citing work commitments, leaving David Williams to take over the job.

Musical acts on the bill are The Killers, Louis Tomlinson, James Blunt, The Script, Alfie Boe and Michael Ball, Paloma Faith and Seal.

Kelsey  Grammer will be performing with the cast of West End show Big Fish, while there will also be extracts from 42nd Street and Annie, which Hart recently starred in.

The 2017 Royal Variety Performance will be staged at the London Palladium on November 24 and air on ITV in December.

Published: 1 Nov 2017