Royal Variety Performance 2025: what time does it start, full line-up, and who is the host?

• It is time for the Royal Variety Performance.
• ITV is set to broadcast the event this weekend.
• But when can you tune in?

It is safe to say that the Christmas period has well and truly started because the Royal Variety Performance is here. ITV will once again be broadcasting the festive favourite.

Having taken place earlier in the winter, it is finally set to be beamed into homes across the country. Viewers can enjoy plenty of spectacular moments from the…

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But who were the performers this year and when can you watch? Here’s all you need to know:

What time is the Royal Variety Performance on today?

Once again, the Royal Variety Performance took place more than a month ago - but the broadcast is saved for the festive period. The event itself happened at the Royal Albert Hall back on November 18 and was attended by William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales.

ITV is set to help kick-off the Christmas week by finally showing the performance for viewers at home. It has secured a prime Sunday night slot today (December 21), it has been confirmed.

The Royal Variety Performance will be live this evening from 7.05pm on ITV1. It is set to run for nearly three hours, finishing at approximately 9.50pm.

Full Royal Variety Performance line-up of 2025

Once again, the performance included plenty of household names as well as the winners of this year’s edition of Britain’s Got Talent. Harry Moulding was the latest winner of the ITV reality series and he will be bringing his magic skills to the stage at the Royal Albert Hall.

The show also included performances from the cast of the new musical Paddington. As well as other favourites from the West End like Les Misérables, Just For One Day, and Kinky Boots.

The full line-up was as follows:

• Jessie J
• Harry Moulding
• the cast of Les Miserables also including - Michael Ball, Matt Lucas, Katy Secombe, Bradley Jaden, Killian Donnelly
• the cast of Paddington
• Katherine Jenkins
• Madness
• Laufey
• Sir Stephen Fry
• Tom Davis
• Mick Miller
• the cast of the BBC's Dead Ringers
• Sir Bob Geldof
• Midge Ure
• the cast of Just For One Day
• the cast of Kinky Boots featuring Johannes Radebe, Adrian Stoica

Who is the host this year?

Comedy legend Jason Manford has returned to host this year’s edition of the Royal Variety Performance. It is not his first rodeo, as the saying goes.

Manford was the presenter back in 2020 and has returned five years later. He has previously been one of the acts back in the early parts of the 21st century, including the 2009 show,

Alan Carr and Amanda Holden were the presenters last year, while it was the venerable Bradley Walsh back in 2023.