Andrew Lloyd Webber: 40 Musical Years TV Special

Updated 18th March:  ITV has just recorded a 90 minute special to celebrate Andrew Lloyd Webber's 40 years in the business.

It was hosted by Michael Ball and  featured Nicole Scherzinger (singing Don't Cry For Me Argentina from Evita), The Bodyguard's Heather Headley (Cats: Memory) Myleene Klass (Bombay Dreams:Shakalaka Baby), Samantha Barks (Evita: Another Suitcase In Another Hall),  Sierra Boggess (Phantom:All I Ask of You duet with Michael Ball), Kimberley Walsh and  Denise Van Outen (duet Tell Me On A Sunday: Take That Look of Your Face with Strictly's Pasha dancing) and  Il Divo (finale appearance) performing special versions of some of Andrew’s greatest hits including songs from Cats , The Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar (Tim Minchin, Ben Forster, Chris Moyles and Melanie C) and Tell Me On A Sunday. There was also a performance by classical guitarist Milos from Andrew’s new West End musical Stephen Ward which is about the Profumo scandal.

 Andrew Lloyd Webber demanded that the show be fun and action-packed saying: “I was flattered when ITV approached me about a 90-minute special, but I said I would only do it if it was not some po-faced tribute to a bloke who's about to collect his bus pass.I also said it must include the wet sari number from Bombay Dreams! I still don’t know what I’m letting myself in for, especially as Simon Cowell has filmed an interview for the show.”

John Kaye Cooper who is controller of entertainment at ITV said: “Andrew’s contribution to musical theatre is unrivalled.We are delighted to be celebrating his four decades in the West End with an evening that promises some spectacular performances and a deeper insight into the man himself.”

The cameras went behind the scenes film Andrew’s working life speaking to friends and colleagues, including Simon Cowell, Michael Caine, Alex Ferguson and David Essex.

The finale featuredMichael Ball singing Love Changes Everything accompanied by a chorus of children from London’s Highbury Grove School. Michael also interviewd Andrew and asked his followers on Twitter to send him some questions on what they would like to know. During this Q & A session ALW confirmed that Love Never Dies will return.

The show will be televised on Easter Sunday (March 31st) from 6:30-8:00 pm.