Royal Variety Performance with Paddington, Les Misérables, Kinky Boots and more – first look photos
The show will be broadcast on Sunday
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Nationwide
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19 December 2025
The Royal Variety Performance, which returned to the Royal Albert Hall in London last month, will be broadcast over the weekend, and photos have been released.
This year, comedian, actor, and presenter Jason Manford takes on the role of host for the evening, which was presented in the presence of members of the Royal Family.
The world of musical theatre is represented by several appearances. There is an exclusive performance from the cast of Paddington The Musical, introduced by composer Tom Fletcher. The long-running production Les Misérables delivers a finale to mark its 40th anniversary, featuring 400 performers, including Michael Ball, Matt Lucas, Katy Secombe, Bradley Jaden, and Killian Donnelly, alongside the West End and Paris casts, plus amateur companies from across the UK. The show will also be returning to the Royal Albert Hall next summer.
Further musical performances include Johannes Radebe and the cast of the forthcoming West End production of Kinky Boots performing a full number, and a special appearance from the cast of the Live Aid musical, Just For One Day, introduced by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure.
The bill also includes a guest appearance from Stephen Fry, currently appearing in a run of The Importance of Being Earnest in the West End. Making their British debut are the America’s Got Talent winners, Adrian Stoica and his border collie, Hurricane, present a choreographed routine.
Also among the performers is Jessie J, performing “I’ll Never Know Why” from her album. Britain’s Got Talent winner Harry Moulding will present a magic illusion. The programme also features a performance from Madness, who will be making their debut appearance at the event, and a set from Grammy award-winner Laufey. Comedians Tom Davis and Mick Miller are listed to appear, as are the impressionist cast from the BBC series Dead Ringers.
The National Anthem will be led by opera star Katherine Jenkins.
