Comedian and TV star Tom Allen to host this year's West End Bares: Top Off The Pops

Tom said today, “I’m thrilled to be returning to West End Bares to kick off proceedings at TOP OFF THE POPS with the most incredible cast yet. It’s an amazing night that’s really not to be missed and I hope to see you all there.”

Currently on a sell-out UK Tour and on tv screens as co-host of Channel 4’s “Bake Off: An Extra Slice”, Tom Allen is an award-winning comedian, writer and actor having won both So You Think You’re Funny in Edinburgh and the BBC New Comedy Awards. He has appeared on BBC One’s “Live at the Apollo”, BBC Two’s “Mock The Week”, Channel 4’s, “8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown”, “Channel 4’s Comedy Gala” and hosted “Bake Off: The Professionals”. His radio credits include BBC Radio 4’s “Just A Minute” and the Sony Award winning “Bleak Expectations”. He also records a popular weekly podcast “Like Minded Friends” with Suzi Ruffell. Tom Allen is playing at the world-famous London Palladium on 23^rd November.

Tom will be joined by an almighty line up of incredible singers from the biggest West End shows. These include Moya Angela (Dreamgirls, America’s Got Talent); Michelle Antrobus (Chicago); Natasha Barnes (Funny Girl); Luke Baker (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Footloose); Laura Baldwin (Eugenius!); Matt Croke (Aladdin); Laura Emmitt (Wicked); Michelle Francis (School of Rock); Jordan Fox (Kinky Boots); Candace Furbert (Tina); Brennyn Lark (Dreamgirls); John McCrea (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie); Christina Modestou (Little Shop of Horrors); Cedric Neal (Motown The Musical); Jay Perry (Motown The Musical); Jon Robyns (Hamilton, Legally Blonde);Danielle Steers (Bat Out Of Hell); Anna Van Ruiten (Motown The Musical); Lucie Shorthouse (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) and Anna Woodside (Carousel) with more to be announced in the coming weeks.

TOP OFF THE POPS is also excited to welcome some of the West End’s most loved personalities who will join Tom Allen, alongside some of theatre’s current leading ladies and gentlemen, as guest hosts. Head over to MAD Trust’s social media channels as we reveal all in the build-up to the big night.

They will join the previously announced Eva Noblezada (Miss Saigon, Les Misérables), who will open the show singing a brand-new song written for the occasion by returning favourites Mark Anderson and Luke Di Somma.

WEST END BARES: TOP OFF THE POPS celebrates the sexiest tracks from some of the world’s most iconic music artists. For the first time the show will feature an incredible live band and sensational singers alongside all the flesh audiences have come to expect with over 100 performers from the West End and beyond. All monies raised will go to The Make A Difference Trust to fund HIV and AIDS projects that raise awareness, educate and provide care and support in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.

For the fourth year in a row, WEST END BARES will be directed by David Grewcock with choreography from Tommy Wade-Smith (Book of Mormon, We Will Rock You), Racky Plews (American Idiot, Footloose, Knights of the Rose), Chris Whittaker (Seussical, Judy!, Top Hat), Matt Overfield (Motown the Musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Tommy), Callum Aylott (Dreamgirls, The Illusionists, West Side Story), Matt Krazn (Chicago, Cats), Will Lucas (Wicked, Cats) and Joanna Goodwin (Sunset Boulevard, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Barnum) Josh Baker (Little Shop of Horrors) and Aston Hannington (Bat Out Of Hell).

WEST END BARES benefits the Make A Difference Trust, a UK based charity with a vision of a world free from HIV and AIDS. Since its first scintillating show in 2010 WEST END BARES has raised over £250,000. Building on the legacy of 25 years of fundraising by the Theatre industry, they continue to make the vision a reality having distributed over £1.6 million in grants to support individuals experiencing hardship across the UK as well as over £1million to support projects with their UK and international partners. WEST END BARES is based on the original concept BROADWAY BARES by Tony Award winning Broadway and West End director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell. For further information about the Make A Difference Trust please visit www.madtrust.org.uk

Tickets for WEST END BARES are now on sale and are priced at £25 - £80. They are available from www.madtrust.org.uk or the Shaftesbury Theatre booking line 020 7379 5399 or in person at The Shaftesbury Theatre Box Office. Booking fees apply plus your phone company's access charge. There are limited Stalls tickets available for both shows, so book now to avoid disappointment!

VIP Tickets are available directly from MAD Trust by calling 020 7231 9719 and include access to the pre-show drinks reception, VIP entrance to the theatre with a drink on arrival, £10 of MAD money, the best seats in the house for the legendary Rotation and access to the exclusive after party. Booking fees apply.

WEST END BARES are proud to be partnering with 100 Wardour St for this year's exclusive After Party where you can continue to celebrate with the cast of the show. Tickets cost £10 and are only available when you buy a ticket for the 7pm or 9.30pm show. Once again, there is limited availability for the After Party and when the tickets are gone, they're gone - so don't miss out!

Please note: All artists appear subject to availability.