Stand-up special to be filmed at the spiritual home of light entertainment

Tom Allen will today announce a gig at the London Palladium, to be filmed for future release.

The comic – and presenter on Great British Bake Off spin-offs The Professionals and  Extra Slice – says ‘it’s a dream come true’ to be playing at the spiritual home of light entertainment.

‘This is where all my idols have performed,’ he said ‘I can’t believe it.’

In its 107-year history, the venue has hosted the likes of Danny Kaye, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Sammy Davis Jr  Ella Fitzgerald and Bob Hope. And Ken Dodd had the longest ever run there – 42 weeks in 1965.

It has hosted the Royal Variety Performance a record 41 times as well as the top-rated ITV variety show Sunday Night at the London Palladium for 12 years from 1955, hosted by Tommy Trinder, Bruce Forsyth, Norman Vaughan, and Jimmy Tarbuck.

Allen will be performing his Absolutely show there on November 23, towards the end of his UK tour which has already sold out 20 nights at the Soho Theatre.

In the show, the waspish panel show regular talks about still living with his parents in the Leave heartland of Bromley, Kent, because he can’t afford not to, and of learning to drive but struggling to afford the insurance on his own car… all the while insisting he’s better than everyone else.

Some tickets to the Palladium date will go on ‘presale’ tomorrow, with a general release on Friday. His spokeswoman could not divulge who the show was being filmed for.

Published: 11 Sep 2018