Bon Jovi top Royal Variety bill

Bon Jovi are currently touring North America

Rock band Bon Jovi and soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa are to headline this year's Royal Variety Performance.

Britain's Got Talent winner Paul Potts will also take to the stage, along with James Blunt and Enrique Iglesias.

This year's show will take place at Liverpool's Empire Theatre in December, in the presence of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

It will be hosted by Kate Thornton and Phillip Schofield, and will be screened on ITV1 later in the month.

Schofield said: "There is no other show that boasts such a diverse mix of acts and this year will be no exception."

Benevolent fund

Mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins and ballet dancer Darcey Bussell and the cast of the musical Hairspray are also among those scheduled to appear.

The event will be held in aid of the Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund.

The decision to host the show at Liverpool's Empire Theatre continues ITV's recently-established tradition of staging it outside London.

Previous host cities include Cardiff, Edinburgh and Birmingham.

Mark Wells, ITV production's controller of entertainment, said: "Entertainment, like football, is in the city's blood and I know the Liverpool audience will make us feel very welcome for what is still the greatest night of entertainment in the year."