ITV have revealed the stars involved in their latest one-off special, All Star Musicals.
Six celebrities will all be embarking on the ultimate musical theatre masterclass – culminating in a show-stopping one-night extravaganza later this month.
Actress Jessica Hynes, Judge Robert Rinder, actor Barney Walsh, political journalist Robert Peston, doctor and presenter Dr Ranj Singh, and actress Luisa Bradshaw-White will aim to impress the star panel and virtual audience.
If music be the food of love…: ITV have revealed the stars involved in their latest one-off special, All Star Musicals, which John Barrowman will host
John Barrowman will host the show while Elaine Paige, Samantha Barks and Trevor Dion Nicholas will act as mentors and judges.
The quartet of stalwarts will also open the show with the musical favourite, You Can’t Stop The Beat from Hairspray – performed in a way never seen before.
Each of the celebrities will be mentored by Elaine and supported by a West End chorus line, expert choreographers and vocal coaches as they prepare to embark on this once in a lifetime performance.
The musical numbers performed will be from a range of famous musicals, both contemporary and traditional including The Greatest Showman, Chicago and Guys & Dolls.
Stalwart: Each of the celebrities will be mentored by Elaine Paige and supported by a West End chorus line, expert choreographers and vocal coaches as they prepare to embark on this once in a lifetime performance
Pros: Samantha Barks and Trevor Dion Nicholas will act as mentors and judges
Jessica Hynes said of signing up: ‘It’s a pure joy and a privilege to work with people with such passion and skill on such a fun show.
‘Having fun and doing things you enjoy – just because you enjoy them is a good way to stay young at heart and this show seemed like it would be a lot of fun to do!
‘Creating a fully-fledged musical number from scratch with limited rehearsal is daunting but I’m working with the best of the best so I’m confident we’ll do it!’
Judge Rinder said: ‘I’m really excited – I always choose things to do that I enjoy and I love theatre, especially musicals. Musicals are a real passion of mine and this is a real bucket list activity for me.’
Jessica Hynes said of signing up: ‘It’s a pure joy and a privilege to work with people with such passion and skill on such a fun show’
Luisa Bradshaw-White added: ‘I LOVE musicals! I love singing. This is a secret dream to do a show like this!’
Barney Walsh – who is son of The Chase host Bradley – said: ‘I love musicals. I’ve watched them for as long as I can remember and I know the words to so many.
‘So when I got asked to be a part of this show I can’t begin to describe how happy I was! Acting is my profession and to get the chance to perform is always an incredibly exciting feeling.
‘That being said, it’s going to be a challenge because I’ve never sung or danced before in my life, let alone on a stage, with an ensemble, in front of some of the most decorated musical theatre professionals in the world!
‘It’s scary, thrilling and a dream come true all wrapped in one. My parents always said to me it’s better to be sorry for something you did than sorry for something you didn’t do, so I’m gonna take this opportunity with both hands and give it everything I’ve got.’
Barney Walsh – who is son of The Chase host Bradley – said: ‘I love musicals. I’ve watched them for as long as I can remember and I know the words to so many’
Judge Rinder said: ‘I’m really excited – I always choose things to do that I enjoy and I love theatre, especially musicals. Musicals are a real passion of mine and this is a real bucket list activity for me’
Robert Peston added: ‘I love singing though I haven’t sung in front of an audience since university. And I have always adored old Broadway and Hollywood musicals, a passion I inherited from my late dad.
‘So in the middle of lockdown, when asked by ITV whether I fancied indulging a fantasy and learning how to sing and perform one of my favourite show numbers, I thought ‘yes!’ I will make a fool of myself, but I could not care less.’
Dr Ranj said: ‘People know me from my medical job, but my very first love was actually music. I’ve loved singing since I was a little child and it’s always been really special to me.
Robert Peston added: ‘I love singing though I haven’t sung in front of an audience since university. And I have always adored old Broadway and Hollywood musicals, a passion I inherited from my late dad’
Dr Ranj said: ‘People know me from my medical job, but my very first love was actually music. I’ve loved singing since I was a little child and it’s always been really special to me’
‘I’ve never had the guts to do it on screen, but this opportunity to perform in front of musical theatre legends was too good to miss!
And after the year we’ve had, I think it’s more important than ever to remind ourselves of the magic of theatre. So I’m hugely honoured to get the chance to do this – and equally terrified!’
Luisa Bradshaw-White added: ‘I LOVE musicals! I love singing. This is a secret dream to do a show like this!
‘It scares me hugely but I really wanted to teach my kids that even though something may be so out of your comfort zone – do it anyway – it could be the best memory of your life. And life is all about pushing boundaries and making memories, right?’