Jason Manford for The Royal Variety Performance 2026 / © ITV / Lifted Entertainment
Jason Manford will return for a third stint as host of the Royal Variety Performance, it has been announced.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be in attendance for the annual charity event, which will be staged at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday, November 20.
Acts this year include a preview of the new musical The Greatest Showman, Wicked legend Idina Menzel, Britain’s Got Talent winners The Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir, James Blunt, Vanessa Williams and Andrea Bocelli.
Also appearing are Jack Savoretti, the casts of Billy Elliot The Musical, Operation Mincemeat and Avenue Q, Sam Ryder, Alfie Boe, Milton Jones and Phil Wang.
“What a huge privilege to be asked to host The Royal Variety Performance for a third time,” said Manford. “It’s an amazing lineup, in aid of a wonderful charity so I can’t wait for everybody to see what surprises we have up our sleeves this year.”
The performance will be broadcast on ITV in December in the run-up to Christmas.
