19 December 2023 , 20:58
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The Royal Variety Performance may have entertained the guests of honour when it was recorded last month - but viewers watching at home were less impressed.
The annual variety show was held in London in November, but it wasn’t until this past weekend that ITV finally showed the highlights from the night - as Bradley Walsh presided over comedy sketches, music performances, and breathtaking dance routines. But despite the fact William, the Prince of Wales, and his wife Kate, the Princess of Wales, were caught giggling as 63-year-old Bradley cracked jokes at their expense, fans watching the highlights were less amused.
Britain's Got Talent winner Viggo Venn, a comedian, and fellow comedian Simon Brodkin came most under fire from unimpressed viewers - while others groaned over the jokes being dished out by show host Bradley. Simon, 46, drew scorn when he delivered a joke about the pandemic - with his comment slammed for being in bad taste.
His offending joke came when he made an observation about stunts, saying: "I am the guy that did all the stunts and people always want to know if my stunts ever go wrong. Occasionally, in late 2019 I broke into this laboratory in Wuhan, sorry." But the comment was branded “disgusting” by many viewers - with one viewer hitting out via X/Twitter to state: "HOW dare you make a DISGUSTING joke about the pandemic? I will be making a complete Ofcom about this you should be ashamed of yourself."
The 2023 Royal Variety Performance has been panned by TV fans (ITV)Meanwhile, BGT winner Viggo, 34, divided viewers as he made jokes about the royal family and crowned an audience member ‘King Charles’ as the monarch himself was not present, and presented the audience member with a gold coat. One viewer deemed Viggo's performance sub par and said it was a benchmark of the low level of entertainment on the night. The disgruntled viewer wrote: "The Royal Variety perfomance this year is shockingly bad and Vigo Venn highlighted that."
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Another unimpressed viewer deemed Viggo had "made a mockery of both BGT and the Royal Variety", while a further fan wrote: "I had to turn it off." But others were entertained by the Norwegian star, with one writing: "I'm sorry but Viggo Venn is hilarious, I'm in stitches right now."
Other entertainers on the night were spared such low opinions - with Beverley Knight, Cher and Hannah Waddingham being deemed the winners of the night. Beverley, 50, appeared on stage to perform a song from Sister Act The Musical - much to the delight of viewers.
One stunned fan wrote online: "Beverley Knight now we've a bit of class. Thank God, Sister." Another gushed: "Sister Act is what I've been looking forward to! No way I'll ever get to see it in the West End so delighted to have a taster!" While a third fan stated: "Beverley Knight can do ANYTHING."
Hannah, 49, stunned viewers when she led a performance alongside the English National Opera. One impressed viewer gushed on X/Twitter: “Wow! Best act of the night! Hannah Waddingham. Amazing.” Another agreed, writing: “My god, Hannah Waddingham is absolutely extraordinary.”
While Cher, 77, got everyone in the festive spirit by singing her song DJ Play A Christmas Song. An appreciative fan wrote: "I have to admit Cher's Christmas song is very catchy. I wouldn't mind it getting the much-anticipated #ChristmasNumber1." And another added: "That Cher Christmas song is right banger."