Biggest Night of Musicals: what time does it start and what songs will feature?

• Biggest Night of Musicals promises to be a real treat.
• It will feature performances from major West End shows.
• But what can you expect from the special episode?

A celebration of all things musical is set to be broadcast on TV this evening. It promises to be quite the Christmas treat for lovers of West End shows.

The Biggest Night of Musicals will feature plenty of show-stopping performances and certainly promises to have you feeling festive. It is the BBC’s best offering this Saturday evening (December 27).

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But what can you expect from the special? Here’s all you need to know:

What time is Biggest Night of Musicals on today?

Lucy Pick as Elphaba performing Defying Gravity - Biggest Night of Musicals | BBC/TBI Media/The National Lottery/Bellanova Photography

The BBC has a real post-Christmas treat in store for viewers today (December 27). It is due to start at 6.45pm and will be broadcast on BBC One and iPlayer.

Biggest Night of Musicals will run for approximately an hour, it has been confirmed. The special will be followed by the terrestrial TV debut of 2022’s Elvis starring Austin Butler.

What songs will feature on Biggest Night of Musicals?

The special programme will feature a celebration of four years of the Big Night of Musicals. It will include show-stopping numbers from some of the UK’s biggest West End and touring productions.

It includes Wicked, Les Misérables, Mary Poppins, The Bodyguard, The Royal Shakespeare Company's Matilda The Musical, Phantom of the Opera and Back to the Future: The Musical. There will also be star performances from Alfie Boe and Beverley Knight, unforgettable group numbers and emotional moments that have defined the series.

Highlights include:

• A spectacular circus-themed opening number from The Greatest Showman
• Musical theatre legend Michael Ball OBE performing with Our Dementia Choir
• A dazzling performance of Electricity from Billy Elliot by two grassroots groups
• Plus, a spine-tingling all-star performance of Bring Him Home from Les Misérables, featuring four Jean Valjeans.

With breathtaking staging, stunning performances and all the energy of a live arena audience, Biggest Night of Musicals celebrates the very best of musical theatre. It has become a firm favourite on the TV calendar.

Who hosts the Biggest Night of Musicals?

Jason Manford hosts Biggest Night of Musicals | BBC/TBI Media/The National Lottery/PA Media Assignments/James Speakman Photography

Comedy legend - and former Waterloo Road star - Jason Manford is on hosting duties once again. He has been the presenter for all of the previous versions of the musical extravaganza.

Manford is best known for his stand-up comedy, but has had plenty of experience in the West End. He has starred in musicals such as Sweeney Todd, The Producers, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Guys and Dolls, Curtains and The Wizard of Oz.

He was also one of the four judges on ITV’s Starstruck. Jason was also Hedgehog on The Masked Singer.

What has been your favourite watch over Christmas? Let me know by email: [email protected].