David Walliams has been announced as the host of the Royal Variety Performance 2016.

This will be the 88th edition of the annual showcase show, which first started in 1912. It will be the Little Britain star's second time in the role of compare, he previously fronted the show in 2012.

This year's show will take place at the Hammersmith Apollo on the 6th December, with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall in attendance. Highlights will then be broadcast on ITV later in December.

Walliams says: "I was lucky enough to host back in 2012 so will be looking forward to another fabulous evening with huge talent."

It has also been announced that Rob Beckett, Alan Davies and Joe Lycett will be the stand-ups performing comedy routines on the show. Funny Girl star Sheridan Smith will also take to the stage.

Meanwhile Barry Gibb, Sting, Gary Barlow, Robbie Williams, Emeli Sandé, Amber Riley, One Republic, DNCE and ABC are amongst the musical acts announced. Also, the cast of The Beatles Cirque Du Soleil's LOVE show will be flying in from Las Vegas for a special anniversary performance, and there will be sneak previews from the casts of Gershwin's classic musical An American In Paris and Gary Barlow's The Girls, which both open in the West End early next year. Britain's Got Talent winner Lance Corporal Richard Jones will be performing a magic routine, and Diversity return to the stage where they first auditioned for BGT too.

ITV comments: "The show promises to be an unforgettable evening of the best UK and international musical performers, extraordinary theatre, and brilliant comedy as well as a number of sensational surprises."