Jon Bon Jovi

By royal command: stars turn out for ITV1

Published: Thursday, 15 November 2007, 3:58PM

Opera sensation Paul Potts and comedian Russell Brand joined a galaxy of stars from the world of entertainment to light up the 79th Royal Variety Performance in Liverpool, on Sunday 9th December.

Potts - Britain’s Got Talent winner turned international chart-topper - took to the stage alongside one of the greatest operatic stars of our time: Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

Meanwhile, larger-than-life Brand was given a run for his money by the equally outrageous comedienne Joan Rivers who joined him on the bill.

The sensational night of live music featured a host of big names to suit all tastes: US rockers Bon Jovi, singer-songwriter James Blunt, Seal, pop heart-throb Enrique Iglesias and mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins were among the line-up.

And direct from London’s West End, the cast of the hit musical Hairspray also performed at the show - hosted by Phillip Schofield and Kate Thornton.

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