The Altrincham duo behind The Brit Fest have revealed the full line-up for their Christmas Musical Spectacular at Manchester's AO Arena this December - and it's headed up by one of British musical theatre's biggest names.
Michael Ball OBE, a two-time Olivier Award winner with millions of Christmas albums sold, will lead the show on 22nd and 23rd December.
He'll be joined by Loren Allred - the voice behind Never Enough from The Greatest Showman - and Tony Award nominee Keala Settle, whose performance of This Is Me in the same film became an Oscar-nominated global anthem.
Completing a stellar cast are Ben Forster, known for his portrayal of the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera, and Kerry Ellis, a leading lady of both the West End and Broadway with iconic roles in Wicked and Les Misérables.
Also performing are Alice Fearn, Hugh Maynard and Kelly Mathieson, with support from performers at Cardwell Theatre School.
The evening will be hosted by Aled Jones - forever synonymous with Christmas for his schoolboy performance of Walking in the Air from The Snowman - with musical backing from the Manchester Camerata and the Manchester Vocal Ensemble.
The show is the work of Great British Festivals directors Edward and Anthony Prophet, who have enjoyed great success with The Brit Fest, which returns for a third year this July.
Edward said: "We wanted to create a night where people could come together, sing at the top of their voices, laugh, feel something real, and leave with memories that stay with them.
"When you hear voices like Michael, Keala and Loren filling the arena, backed by these incredible musicians, it genuinely gives you goosebumps."
Anthony added: "Manchester is a city that lives and breathes music, and to bring something of this scale and emotion here at Christmas feels incredibly special."
The production is being billed as one of Europe's largest festive shows.
Tickets for the Christmas Musical Spectacular go on sale from 9am on Friday 15th May via christmasmusicalspectacular.co.uk and the AO Arena. Sign up now for early access to secure the best seats.
