2020’s line-up includes comedt performances from Britain’s Got Talent 2020 winner Jon Courtenay. Plus more stand up from Jo Caulfield and Daliso Chaponda.

Captain Sir Thomas Moore, who captured the nation’s hearts with his fundraising efforts during the pandemic, will be joining forces from his home for an exclusive performance with legendary singer and entertainer Michael Ball who will be on stage at the Opera House with the NHS choir to perform their chart-topping anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. Plus a special solo appearance by British superstar Gary Barlow.

The evening will also herald the welcome return of musical theatre with an exclusive performance from the award-winning Sheridan Smith as Cilla in the heart-warming and spectacular Cilla The Musical and an exclusive from Frozen the Musical starring leading lady Samantha Barks.

There’s more music from Celeste, Melanie C and Steps.

Magic from much loved TV presenter Stephen Mulhern, a phenomenal performance from West End sensation Marisha Wallace as well as a high octane and Kenyan acrobats The Black Blues Brothers.

Jason Manford said: “After appearing at the Royal Variety Performance three times since 2009, it is an honour and a privilege to be hosting the show this year. It’s been a hugely difficult year for everybody, so I hope that for a couple of hours on a cold Winter’s night in Blackpool, we can take people’s minds off things and do what us Brits do best; have a laugh. 

The Royal Variety Performance has been commissioned by ITV’s Commissioning Editor, Entertainment David Smyth and Executive Producer for ITV is Fiona Clark and Series Producer for ITV is Lawrie Jordan. Executive Producers for the Royal Variety Charity are Laurie Mansfield, Giles Cooper and Phil Dale. It will be broadcast on ITV1 later this year.