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Page last updated at 11:17 GMT, Wednesday, 13 August 2008 12:17 UK

Variety making a return to ITV1

Sunday Night at the London Palladium in 1963
The Beatles appeared on Sunday Night at the London Palladium in 1963

ITV1 has unveiled a Saturday night variety show as a highlight of its autumn schedule.

For One Night Only will feature music and comedy acts, a "glittering showpiece finale" and two different hosts for each show.

The format harks back to Sunday Night at the London Palladium, which was a huge draw in the 1950s and 60s.

I'm A Celebrity, Harry Hill's TV Burp and Al Murray's Pub Landlord are all set to return for the new season.

First drama

The new Saturday night show will also feature "dazzling speciality acts and massive music stars," says ITV.

It follows the success of Britain's Got Talent, which sees amateur variety acts compete for a slot on the Royal Variety Performance.

Other new offerings include Caught in a Trap, featuring former Sound of Music star Connie Fisher in her first dramatic role.

Comics will join forces to mark the Prince of Wales' 60th birthday in We Are Not Amused, while Sean Bean will reprise his role as soldier Richard Sharpe in a new special.

The autumn season is the first under ITV's new director of programmes, Peter Fincham.

Mr Fincham quit his post as controller of BBC One last year after documentary footage wrongly implied that the Queen had stormed out of a photo session.


SEE ALSO
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31 May 08 |  Entertainment

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