Whoopi Goldberg introduces Sister Act cast at Royal Variety Show

The Queen was entertained last night by a host of stars at the first Royal Variety Performance to be held in Blackpool since 1955.

The town's illuminations lit the way as the Royal party made its way to the Opera House in the Winter Gardens where the charity event's host, comedian Peter Kay, welcomed the Queen to "the entertainment capital of the world".


Blackpool's Opera House seats 2,900 people and was used to host the show in the 1950s when acts including Morecambe and Wise, Arthur Askey and George Formby appeared there.  The annual event was first staged in 1912 with proceeds going to the Entertainment Artistes Benevolent Fund.

The show's performers included Lady Gaga, Bette Midler, Britain's Got Talent winners Diversity, 2008 X Factor winner Alexandra Burke, Michael Buble and Hollywood actress Goldberg who introduced the cast from stage show Sister Act who led all the entertainers in a rousing finale  rendition of the song Spread The Love Around.