ITV The Chase star Bradley Walsh lands huge TV presenting job as he replaces comedian

Bradley Walsh has landed a huge new presenting role as the host of this year's Royal Variety Performance.

The Chase presenter is set to take over fronting the live theatre show, which airs at a later date on ITV, from last year's host, comedian Lee Mack.

The Royal Variety Performance is a highlight in the entertainment calendar that sees members of the Royal Family attend to watch the show, and although this year's Royal guests have not yet been confirmed, the audience has previously featured senior Royals including King Charles III when he was still Prince Charles.

Bradley, 63, said: "I am so excited to be presenting this year's show. It’s been 30 years this year since I first performed at The Royal Variety Performance, so what an absolute honour to be hosting. The line-up is incredible and I can’t wait for you all to see what I have in store."

King Charles and Queen Camilla put to work as they visit elephant sanctuary in Kenya

As usual, the Royal Variety Performance is set to take place at London's Royal Albert Hall and this year's show date will be Thursday, 30 November, although it will not air on ITV until December.

Confirmed big name acts for the 2023 show include Cher who will perform a song from her new Christmas album, and the traditional appearance from the latest Britain's Got Talent winner – who this year was Norwegian clown and comedian Viggo Venn.

Viewers can also look forward to theatre performances celebrating 100 years of Disney productions from the casts of musicals The Lion King, Frozen, Aladdin, Hercules and Beauty & The Beast.

Other performances to look out for include McFly who are celebrating their 20th anniversary, pianist Lang Lang will play alongside Lucy, the 14-year-old winner of Channel 4's The Piano, and Spice Girl Mel C will pay tribute to the late theatre producer Bill Kenwright who died in October.

Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham will also be performing alongside the English National Opera.

Rick Astley, Paloma Faith and Zara Larsson are also confirmed, and the National Anthem will be performed by the Band of the Welsh Guards and the National Youth Choir.

Bradley joins a long line of big-name hosts for the show, including Lee Mack in 2022 and before him David Walliams, Greg Davies, Miranda Hart, Romesh Ranganathan, Rob Beckett, Jason Manford and Alan Carr.

TV presenter Bradley is set to work with son Barney again this year when the pair host the forthcoming BBC reboot of Gladiators.

Father and son Bradley and Barney were a hit with viewers in their ITV travel challenge show Breaking Dad, and will be reunited for Gladiators in the new series which is expected to air this autumn and winter.

Source: Read Full Article