ITV viewers will see Robert Peston in a whole new light as the political editor is set to show off his singing talent in the network’s All Star Musicals special on Sunday night.
The journalist, 60, will join a group of celebrities for a musical theatre masterclass- culminating in a show-stopping one-night extravaganza.
And in first look images from the show, Robert pulls out all the stops as he dons a pale blue suit and trilby hat to sing Luck be a Lady from Guys and Dolls.
Frank Sinatra in the making? ITV viewers will see Robert Peston in a whole new light as the political editor is set to star in the network’s All Star Musicals special on Sunday night
The political editor appears in his element on stage as he belts the hit and performs some moves alongside a group of male backing dancers.
Appearing on This Morning on Wednesday from his North London home, Robert revealed he’d ‘grown up’ with musical theatre and has ‘loved singing’ for his entire life, stressing he has ‘no regrets’ about taking part in the show.
He explained: ‘I massively enjoyed the process of learning and people can judge how much of a fool I made of myself when the episode comes out. But I have no regrets, it was sort of a dream come true.’
Born performer: The journalist, 60, will join a group of celebrities for a musical theatre masterclass- culminating in a show-stopping one-night extravaganza
Politics: Robert is the Political Editor of ITV News and hosts the political discussion show Peston. He became known to a wider public with his reporting of the 2000s financial crisis
His big moment: And in first look images from the show, Robert pulls out all the stops as he dons a pale blue suit and trilby hat to sing Luck be a Lady from Guys and Dolls
Stage persona: The political editor appears in his element on stage as he belts the hit and performs some moves alongside a group of male backing dancers
Robert previously said of signing up to the show: ‘I love singing though I haven’t sung in front of an audience since university. And 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 indulging a fantasy and 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.’
Joining Robert on stage is actress Jessica Hynes, Judge Robert Rinder, actor Barney Walsh, doctor and presenter Dr Ranj Singh, and actress Luisa Bradshaw-White.
John Barrowman will host the show while Elaine Paige, Samantha Barks and Trevor Dion Nicholas will act as mentors and judges.
Judging panel: John Barrowman will host the show while Elaine Paige, Samantha Barks and Trevor Dion Nicholas will act as mentors and judges
Secret talent: Robert previously said of signing up to the show: ‘I love singing though I haven’t sung in front of an audience since university’
Giving it his all: He added: ‘I will make a fool of myself, but I could not care less’
The quartet of stalwarts will also open the show with the musical favourite, You Can’t Stop The Beat from Hairspray – performed in a way never seen before.
Each of the celebrities will be mentored by Elaine and supported by a West End chorus line, expert choreographers and vocal coaches as they prepare to embark on this once in a lifetime performance.
The musical numbers performed will be from a range of famous musicals, both contemporary and traditional including The Greatest Showman, Chicago and Guys & Dolls.
Jessica said of signing up: ‘It’s a pure joy and a privilege to work with people with such passion and skill on such a fun show.
Extravaganza: The musical numbers performed will be from a range of famous musicals. Luisa Bradshaw-White will perform This Is Me from The Greatest Showman
Powerful: Jessica Hynes will perform You’re Good To Mama from Chicago
Chicago: The actress wows in a black suit and lace bra
Time to shine: Judge Robert Rinder will also star in the musical extravaganza
Disney: The television personality will attempt Be Our Guest from Beauty and the Beast
Be Our Guest: The 42-year-old gets into character as Lumiere as he dons a silver waistcoat and gold hands
Putting on a show: Robert was joined by the cast of Beauty and the Beast
Having fun: Barney Walsh cuts a cheery for his perfomance of Flash, Bang, Wallop! from Half a Sixpence
‘Having fun and doing things you enjoy – just because you enjoy them is a good way to stay young at heart and this show seemed like it would be a lot of fun to do!
‘Creating a fully-fledged musical number from scratch with limited rehearsal is daunting but I’m working with the best of the best so I’m confident we’ll do it!’
While Judge Rinder said: ‘I’m really excited – I always choose things to do that I enjoy and I love theatre, especially musicals. Musicals are a real passion of mine and this is a real bucket list activity for me.’
Dr Ranj added: ‘People know me from my medical job, but my very first love was actually music. I’ve loved singing since I was a little child and it’s always been really special to me.’
Just like his dad: The son of Bradley Walsh looks like he is following in his father’s footsteps
Dancer: Barney shows off some of his dance moves in still images, ahead of Sunday’s show
This isn’t the first time Robert has been approached to take part in a singing reality show, however he said lockdown had prompted him to embark on the new project.
He said: ‘As it happens for quite a few years people have asked me to do series where people like me are asked to do singing and dancing.
‘I’ve been asked in the past, normally you don’t have the time because there’s some political crisis going on.
‘This came up at a time [when] we’ve all been feeling lockdown blues and I wanted to do something different.
Big number: Dr Ranj Singh will attempt Come What May from Moulin Rouge
‘They came along at the right time and this, of course, was a personal reaction to lockdown’.
Speaking of covering the coronavirus pandemic over the last year, he went on: ‘One of the things that’s really interesting is over the past year, everyone has swung from “I want to know as much about this awful stuff as possible” to “I can’t take it anymore”.’
He continued: ‘I don’t have the luxury of not being able to be interested. There have been times it has been gruelling and depressing.’
All Star Musicals airs this Sunday at 6.30pm on ITV and ITV Hub.
Dream: Dr Ranj added: ‘People know me from my medical job, but my very first love was actually music. I’ve loved singing since I was a little child’