Sir Elton tops Royal Variety bill

Sir Elton has recently released a new album

Sir Elton John is to top the bill at this year's Royal Variety Performance on 26 November.

The performance in the presence of the Queen will be the singer-songwriter's first such show since 1972.

Lopez recently married dancer Cris Judd

Also on stage will be actress and singer Jennifer Lopez, singer Craig David and teenage opera star Charlotte Church.

"This is one of the most exciting line-ups we have seen in one Royal Variety Performance for many years," said Jeff Thacker, who will produce the show to be screened on ITV later in the year.

Sir Elton will perform tracks from his latest album Songs From The West Coast.

David won three Novello awards earlier this year

Comic Al Murray, known for his abrasive alter-ego The Pub Landlord, will appear, as will Julian Clary.

First held for George V in 1912, the Royal Variety Performance has become an entertainment institution, raising money for retired performers across the UK.

Last year singers Dame Shirley Bassey and Kylie Minogue led the line-up in the presence of the Prince of Wales.

Royal performances do not get an easy time with the critics - many still remember the time Dallas star Larry Hagman attempted to sing and repeatedly dried up.

Church recently made her UK solo debut

In 1989, Chris de Burgh was stopped halfway through his performance of Lady in Red when a dancer's dress strap broke.

Violinist Nigel Kennedy has also had a hard time on the royal stage - being forced to play a silent rendition of The Four Seasons when his instrument was not plugged in.

But the show provides world-wide exposure for its performers, and provides cash for the Entertainment Artistes Benevolent Fund, which was originally founded in 1908 to cater for retired members of the variety and music hall profession.