Dodd is an old hand at the shows, while Djalili previously appeared on the 2002 bill – but the booking is a first for livewire Irish comic Byrne.
Exposure to such a large mainstream audience can prove a turning point for comics well known on the circuit but yet to achieve major fame.
Dodd hosted the most-watched Royal Variety Show ever, in 1967, which was seen by 22.8 million people – one of the ten biggest-rating British TV shows ever.
But Dodd also holds another Royal Variety record, which will come as no surprise to anyone who’s seen his mammoth live shows – the record for overrunning. He was booked to perform a 12-minute routine but stayed on for 40.
Other acts booked for the 78th Royal Variety Performance include Rod Stewart, Barry Manilow, Take That, the cast of Spamalot – and Jordan and Peter Andre.
The show, in aide of the Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund, takes place at the London Coliseum on December 4 in the presence of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
