This is how you can be part of The Royal Variety Performance 'virtual' audience in Blackpool

Stars including Gary Barlow, Sheridan Smith and Melanie C will be among the stars performing at Blackpool's historic venue in support of the entertainment industry.

Acts on the night will be able to see each audience member 'virtually' on the screens placed across seats in the Opera House, in a first for the annual event.

While many of the audience spaces will go to various groups, including NHS and care home key workers in the town, there will be space for others to watch the show from the comfort of their own home.

In previous years, The Royal Variety show has been a ticket only event, however this year organisers are asking viewers make a donation to the Royal Variety Charity, which will be supporting the entertainment industry.

A spokesman for the charity said: "Before Covid-19, it was only the top 4.8% of those working in the industry that earned above the average UK wage, but since March this year not only has this industry suffered a crisis, like everyone else, but in parts suffered complete annihilation.

"Theatres and music venues have been closed for most of the year, festivals and outdoor concerts were abandoned and tens of thousands of people working in all parts of the industry, mostly on a freelance ‘job-to-job’ basis, have been left to fend for themselves with little or no support from the Government - not qualifying for furlough, or any other scheme that has been offered.

"Not only this, but the Royal Variety Charity has faced the demands and challenges of owning and operating its own residential and nursing care home, Brinsworth House, for elderly members of the entertainment profession.

"We’ve therefore worked relentlessly to ensure we produce a Royal Variety Performance in some shape or form this year, in order to raise such critical funds for an industry in an unprecedented crisis."

This is how you can be part of the audience on the night:

If you'd like to be an audience member, you can register via the Royal Variety Charity website.

Donations can also be made via the website, or alternatively you can donate by text using one of the following methods:

To donate £10, text RVP10 to 70191

To donate £20, text RVP20 to 70191

To donate £30, text RVP30 to 70191

The show will broadcast on ITV1 in the run-up to Christmas.