Mel Giedroyc and Steve Furst host 15th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards Concert

We're thrilled to announce that Great British Bake Off star Mel Giedroyc is returning this year to host her fourth WhatsOnStage Awards Concert, and she'll be joined for the first time by the hilarious Steve Furst, who's currently appearing in Made in Dagenham.

Steve helped us announce the shortlists alongside Angela Griffin at Cafe de Paris last month, and proved such a hit we thought he'd prove the perfect new partner for Mel. The Awards Concert takes place at the Prince of Wales Theatre on 15 February, with tickets available now.

As well as Made in Dagenham Steve Furst's theatre credits include Matilda the Musical (RSC), Chicken Soup with Barley (Royal Court) and 12 Angry Men (Edinburgh Fringe Festival). He is familiar to television viewers for his work on comedy series including Little Britain, Catterick and The Mayor of Kentish Town, while his alter ego Lenny Beige has previously stood for parliament and is a regular on the cabaret circuit.

Mel Giedroyc co-hosted the 2010 Awards Concert and subsequently teamed up with Rufus Hound to hilarious effect on the 2013 and 2014 Awards Concerts. As well as Bake Off, Mel has also co-hosted Late Lunch with longstanding comedy partner Sue Perkins and they have a new chat show launching on ITV next week.

WhatsOnStage chief operating officer Sita McIntosh commented: "I am delighted that Mel has agreed to return to co-host the WhatsOnStage Awards, alongside Steve Furst who proved to be such a hit at December’s launch event. They are already great friends and have worked together before, so given their rapport and irreverent sense of humour, we are guaranteed a very funny and entertaining evening."

Steve Furst added: "There is no award greater than the one voted for by the people. That is, apart from my Cycling Proficiency Award."

In the running

Shortlists for the 15th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards are dominated by the big musicals, with Miss Saigon leading the shortlists with 12 nominations across ten categories – including Eva Noblezada for Best Actress in a Musical and Alistair Brammer and Jon Jon Briones for Best Actor in a Musical.

They are closely followed by Memphis the Musical with ten nominations across ten categories, including nominations for both Beverley Knight and Killian Donnelly, and Urinetown the Musical with seven nods.

In the play categories, the Donmar Warehouse's Coriolanus leads the pack with six nominations including Tom Hiddleston for Best Actor in a Play, fresh from his recent win at the Evening Standard Awards. He faces stiff competition from David Tennant, Tom Bateman, Richard Armitage and Mark Strong.

Armitage takes ones of six nominations for The Old Vic's revival of Arthur Miller's The Crucible, going head to head with Coriolanus.

Official charity of the WhatsOnStage Awards

This year WhatsOnStage continues its support of The Big Issue Foundation as the returnee official charity of the WhatsOnStage Awards. The Big Issue Foundation is a charitable organisation which helps the The Big Issue magazine's vendors take their next steps off the street.

During the partnership The Big Issue Foundation is hosting Stage Swap, and many West End performers (including Alison Steadman, pictured) have already taken the chance to swap the stage for the street and joined our vendors to sell the magazine. There is also a chance for people to bid in a theatre themed auction event during the Awards vote.

If you would like to support The Big Issue Foundation by making a donation, please visit their website to make a donation.

Voting for the 15th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards continues until 31 January – click here to vote now!

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