The five most memorable moments at The Royal Variety Performance – from Dame Edna to The Beatles
THIS year’s much anticipated Royal Variety Performance was attended by His Majesty The King and will air on ITV1 on Sunday.
As the world’s longest-running entertainment show we take a look back at five of its most memorable moments in anticipation for what’s to come.
John Lennon’s cheeky remark that made headlines
Beatlemania was at its highest in 1963 when The Beatles made their debut on the show.
The Beatles performed three songs – From me to you, She Loves you and Till there was you.
When the applause died down John Lennon asked: “Would the people in the cheaper seats clap your hands? And the rest of you, if you’d just rattle your jewellery.’
Then the Fab Four went on to sing their hit single called Twist and Shout.
If the Royals in attendance rattled their jewellery – we do not know but the Queen Mother has been reported as having said: “one of the best shows I’ve seen.”
Ginger Spice’s hilarious bum pinch
Back in the nineties we were all about Girl Power and Ginger Spice, of Spice Girls fame, was famously pictured during a royal variety performance in 1997.
In a very naughty scene, Geri Halliwell appeared to be pinching the future King on the bottom.
More than 20 years later, ‘Sporty Spice’ Melanie Chisholm revealed what actually took place during an interview with Aussie radio show Nova’s Fitzy and Wippa.
“When [Prince Charles] came along … Because there are some very cheeky members of the [Spice Girls] … Geri gave him a big squeeze on the bum,” Mel C told the radio hosts.
“And she’d put so much red lippy on and she gave him this big smacker [kiss] so of course, the pictures were brilliant. It was such a smart thing to do, PR-wise, back in the day.”
Despite strict royal protocols, Mel insisted there’d been no fallout afterwards.
“I think he quite enjoyed it, so we didn’t really get in trouble,” Mel C said.
Catherine Tate wasn’t bothered!
During the 2005 show held in Cardiff, the monarch was cheekily asked “Are you disrespecting me?” by comedienne Catherine Tate.
While on stage, Catherine looked towards the Royal Box and asked the Queen: “Is one bothered? Is one’s face bothered?.”
Then she demanded to know: “Who’s looking after the corgis?”
The Queen smiled politely, while the Duke of Edinburgh chuckled at the joke.
The act concluded with Tate announcing: “I’ve just been made a dame.”
After Catherine went back stage she revealed the Queen said: “It was certainly a variety show wasn’t it?”
Dame Edna Everage crashes the Royal Box
In 2013 Dame Edna Everage – aka comedian Barry Humphries playing his alter ego – crashed the royal box and sat next to a terrified looking Camilla.
The royal couple were left in hysterics by the comedian, who looked bewildered as she took up a seat beside them.
However, a member of the Royal security team came in and presented Dame Edna with a card.
Dame Edna then told Charles and Camilla: “I’m so sorry, they’ve found me a better seat.”
The pair continued to laugh and the audience burst into laughter as Dame Edna gave a little wave to the crowd before leaving the royal box.
David Walliams calls a Royal couple ‘Riff Raff’
Comedian, David Williams in 2016, dressed as a theatre usher made his way to the Royal box with a group of people following him behind.
He lead them to where the royal couple were sitting, asking to see their tickets.
He then turned to the group, saying: “There’s some riff-raff sitting in your seats.”
But then David pretended to recognise who they were, by cheekily saying: “It’s an honour to meet you, it’s Steph and Dom from Gogglebox!”
The future King and Queen found the whole situation funny as did the audience.
What to expect in this year’s show
Hosted by Amanda Holden and Alan Carr, this year’s spectacular show sees Britain’s Got Talent winner Sydnie Christmas take up her prize and perform at the Royal Albert Hall.
The event also features a host of West End shows, including Elton John introducing a number from his brand new West End musical The Devil Wears Prada, featuring Vanessa Williams and the cast.
Other music acts performing this year include Eurovision winner Nemo, Brit Award-winner James Bay and disco diva Sophie Ellis-Bextor, performs her latest hit and Murder on The Dance Floor.
American magicians and comedy duo Penn and Teller flew in to London for the show to celebrate their 50th anniversary.
Host Alan Carr said in a statement: “I am completely thrilled to be asked back to host the Royal Variety Performance so soon, what a compliment and an honour!
“To be able to host this magical evening with my best friend and tv wife Amanda Holden is the icing on the cake for me.”
The Royal Variety Performance Show airs on ITV1 on Sunday 15 December at 8pm.
Royal Variety 2024 - performers
The show is jam-packed with entertainment, which will include the reigning Britain’s Got Talent winner Sydnie Christmas
Other highlights include the Devil Wear Prada’s West End cast, a performance from Starlight Express and Cirque du Soleil.
The cast of the Christmas Cracker will also put on a show.
Also performances from Eurovision winner Nemo, Brit Award-winner James Bay and disco diva Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who will be performing her latest hit and Murder on The Dance Floor.
Superstar magicians Penn and Teller will also be putting on a showstopper.