Judge Rinder and Robert Peston to feature on ITV’s All Star Musicals

TV personality Robert Rinder and ITV News journalist Robert Peston are putting on their top hats and channelling their inner razzmatazz for ITV’s All Star Musicals. They will be joined by Bafta-winning actress Jessica Hynes, presenter Dr Ranj Singh, actor Barney Walsh and EastEnders actress Luisa Bradshaw-White.

The six famous faces will take a musical theatre masterclass before performing a hit song in a bid to impress a virtual audience, as well as a panel of critics. Musicals featured will range from contemporary to traditional, including The Greatest Showman, Chicago and Guys And Dolls.

John Barrowman returns as host, with West End star Elaine Paige heading up the panel, which includes Hamilton star Trevor Dion Nicholas and Les Miserables actress Samantha Barks. The four-strong group will open the show with You Can’t Stop The Beat from Hairspray – performed “in a way never seen before”, according to ITV.

Veteran journalist Peston said he has been a fan of musical theatre since childhood, but has not performed in public since university.  

“I have always adored old Broadway and Hollywood musicals, a passion I inherited from my late dad. So, in the middle of lockdown, when asked by ITV whether I fancied learning how to sing and perform one of my favourite show numbers, I thought ‘Yes!’ I will make a fool of myself, but I could not care less.”

Rinder, known for his TV alter ego Judge Rinder, said: “I’m really excited to take part in
All Star Musicals. Musicals are a real passion of mine and this is a real bucket list activity for me.”

All Star Musicals airs on ITV later this year