Elton John to host the Evening Standard Theatre Awards

The 62nd annual awards will take place on 13 November at the Old Vic Theatre and will recognise some of the year's most successful theatre names and productions.

John is an honorary trustee of the Old Vic and will take a break from the European leg of his tour to attend the awards.

He said: "I think we produce some of the best theatre in the world here and I feel passionately that we must support it. The London stage has nurtured and given a creative voice for many, many talented individuals and it’s such a great honour for me to co-host these illustrious theatre awards at The Old Vic this year."

The Evening Standard Theatre Awards have been presented annually since 1955, with past winners including Laurence Olivier, Richard Burton, Vanessa Redgrave, Tom Hiddleston and Nicole Kidman. The judging panel for this year's awards include The Evening Standard's chief critic Henry Hitchings, WhatsOnStage's Sarah Crompton and Guardian culture writer Mark Lawson.

Lebedev said: "I am delighted to have Sir Elton John as my co-host for the 62nd Evening Standard Theatre Awards… He is a man of immense talent and a great patron of the theatre. The musicals he has composed, including Billy Elliot, which opened first in London, have entertained audiences globally."

The shortlist for the awards will be announced at the end of October.

Elton John is touring the UK in June 2017. Click here to buy tickets.