Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan host Royal Variety Performance 2019
- The Royal Variety Performance 2019 will be hosted by Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett
- Acts booked include Flo & Joan, Kerry Godliman, Frank Skinner, and the stage show Groan Ups
- The show will be recorded at the London Palladium on 18th November, for broadcast on ITV in December
Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan are to host The Royal Variety Performance 2019.
Comedy acts confirmed to appear include musical duo Flo & Joan, stand-ups Kerry Godliman and Frank Skinner, and the cast of Groan Ups, the new West End show from the creators of The Show That Goes Wrong.
Beckett and Ranganathan, who are good friends, have previously hosted several factual entertainment shows for Sky, including the recent series Rob And Romesh Vs (pictured).
Rob Beckett says: "I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to be hosting The Royal Variety Performance with one of my best friends and best comedians in the country, Romesh Ranganathan. My mum and dad love Rod Stewart more than me and can't wait to see him perform. Fingers crossed they will stay and watch me and Rom host the rest of the show once Rod has finished his set."
Romesh Ranganathan adds: "It is obviously amazing to be asked to host The Royal Variety Performance. Being asked to do so alongside Rob Beckett is both exciting as well as slightly taking the gloss off the honour."
ITV confirms: "Two of the UK's best loved comedians Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan are to host this year's Royal Variety Performance marking the first time in over thirty years two comedians have hosted together. As is tradition, the world's longest running entertainment show will be held in the presence of members of the Royal Family.
"The event will come from the iconic London Palladium, which is hosting for the 43rd time.
"The show promises to be an unforgettable evening of the best UK and international musical performers, extraordinary theatre and brilliant comedy as well as a number of surprises along the away."
Performers booked include Rod Stewart, Harry Connick Jr and the cast of the musical Mary Poppins.
Also taking to the stage is the much-celebrated and oldest ever winner of Britain's Got Talent Colin Thackery, and audiences will be treated to a unique collaboration from Emeli Sandé and Manchester's Bee Vocal choir formed to inspire those experiencing mental health difficulties.
There's more music from "two of 2019's hottest talents", Lewis Capaldi and Mabel who will each perform their record breaking singles, Hollywood star Luke Evans, and a performance from the Tony and Olivier award winning musical Come From Away.
Rounding off the evening of "extraordinary entertainment" will be an exclusive extract from Cirque Du Soleil's Luzia.
Giles Cooper, Chairman of the Royal Variety Charity, says: "The Royal Variety Charity is grateful to all the performers who are giving their time freely to support the charity at our main fundraising event of the year.
"The Royal Variety Performance enables the charity to continue our work supporting those within the entertainment industries throughout the United Kingdom and to maintain our residential and care home, Brinsworth House, in Twickenham."
The show will take place at the London Palladium on Monday 18th November, to be screened on ITV in December.