Viewers have given the Royal Variety Performance 2023 a clear thumbs up after it finally hit cinemas on Sunday night.
Although the guests of honor, the Prince and Princess of Wales, were star-studded, many fans took to social media to bash the “depressing” names who took to the stage.
Others took aim at event host Bradley Walsh, slamming his stand-up routine as “painfully unfunny” and “embarrassing”, with The Chase frontman even taking a swipe at the royals in attendance.
But while much of the evening was panned by viewers including Britain's Got Talent winner Viggo Venn and comedian Simon Brodkin, three names received plenty of praise.
Cher, Hannah Waddingham and Beverley Knight were all praised by viewers for adding a touch of star power to the proceedings, with some noting that they even “saved” the show.
Viewers have given the Royal Variety Performance 2023 a clear thumbs up after it finally hit cinemas on Sunday night
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“#RoyalVarietyPerformance The highlight of the night was Bradley Walsh's opening tirade about there being no gong, after that it went downhill and he hit rock bottom with that crap and his high vis,” a second added.
A third posted: “I bet King Charles was glad he decided to send his son and stay home in the comforts of his own rather than going out to endure it that evening.” And one added: “I'm not sure what's more depressing, the quality of the performances on offer (with one or two exceptions) or the comments on Twitter.”
Bradley was heavily criticized by ITV viewers when he kicked off the show with a “terrifying” stand-up routine.
The Chase host first appeared on the annual show 30 years ago and is now taking over as host of the event.
But just minutes into the show, fans took to social media to complain about his “boring” opening, when he made an awkward joke at the expense of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
The Princess and Prince of Wales attended the event at the Royal Albert Hall alongside Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her husband Prince Daniel, who were on an official visit to the UK.
William and Kate entered the event with beaming smiles before sitting on the balcony with the Swedish royals as the crowd gave them a standing ovation.
Although the guests of honor, the Prince and Princess of Wales, were star-studded, many fans took to social media to bash the “depressing” names who took to the stage
ITV viewers quickly took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to complain about how “pathetic” the bit was
Bradley made a joke about the Royal Highnesses in attendance, with the camera switching to William and Kate as they laughed – despite Omid Scobie's “royally racist” claims published the same day.
Bradley's awkward joke began with him greeting the “Royal Highness or Royal Highnesses” while pretending to stumble over the word several times.
“That doesn’t sound right, Your Royal Highnesses? There are too many “ssssss,” aren’t there? “Your Royal Highness… Your Royal Highnesses?” he said.
“It should be like cactus, cacti, cacti.” Your Royal Highness, Your Highness and Your Highness. That's it. I got it. Your Royal Highness.'
Meanwhile, Kate and William, as well as Victoria and Daniel, were seen awkwardly laughing at the joke at their own expense.
The royal couple showed no signs of fear after the release of Omid Scobie's book Endgame, the couple appeared delighted to greet the crowd.
But viewers quickly took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to complain about how “pathetic” the bit was.
One wrote: “Bradley Walsh's stand-up comedy is not for you.”
A second agreed: “Bradley, you're insisting a bit too much that you're not good at standing with an OBE.”
Also on the program was Britain's Got Talent winner Viggo Venn, who secured his place on the program following his controversial win on Britain's Got Talent in June
Viewers at home were completely divided, with some claiming the Norwegian comedian was “hysterical” and others calling him a “vile embarrassment”.
Comedian Simon Brodkin also sparked a furious backlash with his own stand-up routine after he made a “sick and insensitive” Covid joke
While Simon's joke drew laughter from the audience, many viewers watching at home were offended and criticized the jibe, noting that they had lost loved ones to Covid
Another wrote: “Bradley Walsh is absolutely painfully unfunny.” This is one of the worst routines I've ever seen in my life. Hopefully the end of this 'career'.”
Numerous big names took to the stage that evening, including Paloma Faith, McFly and the cast of the shows Sister Act and Crazy For You.
Also on the program was Britain's Got Talent winner Viggo Venn, who secured his place on the program following his controversial win on Britain's Got Talent in June.
Some viewers even used the hashtag #CancelBGT as they took to Twitter to criticize the results of the public vote.
But now back on stage and sporting his warning sign, Viggo performed his own unique style of comedy and crowned a random audience member “King Charles” by presenting him with a gold jacket.
Viewers at home were completely divided, with some claiming the Norwegian comedian was “hysterical” and others calling him a “vile embarrassment”.
One angry fan said he had “ridiculed both BGT and the Royal Variety”, while a second typed: “I had to turn him off watching him.”
With a third saying: “Embarrassing, frightening.” Did he win? [BGT] as a protest vote”. And: “Embarrassing, not the least bit entertaining.”
A fourth agreed, declaring: “Royal Variety's performance this year is shockingly poor and Vigo Venn has highlighted that.” Someone else branded his onstage antics as “pathetic.”
But others loved the show and said his appearance got them into trouble, with one commenting: “Good to see Viggo back.”
With another fan who writes: Made me laugh a lot tonight and BGT. “Comedy is subjective.”
A fourth gushed: “I'm sorry but Viggo Venn is hilarious, I'm in trouble right now.” And: “Well I thought he was funny.” The fifth added: “He makes me laugh” and the fifth wrote: “It made me laugh.” A seventh happy viewer added: “Viggo Venn loved you at the Royal Variety, you blew it away.”
Comedian Simon Brodkin also sparked a furious backlash with his own stand-up routine after he made a “sick and insensitive” Covid joke.
The comedian was already known for his sensational stunts, including throwing money to FIFA President Sepp Blatter during a press conference and presenting Theresa May with a P45.
Opening his appearance at the prestigious event, Simon joked that he “broke into a lab in Wuhan in 2019,” referring to the alleged origins of the deadly coronavirus.
He told the audience, “I'm the guy who did all the stunts, and people always want to know if my stunts ever go wrong.” I occasionally broke into this lab in Wuhan in late 2019. Excuse me.'
While Simon's joke caused a lot of laughter from the audience, many viewers at home were offended and criticized the jibe.
One wrote: 'HOW dare you make a DISGUSTING joke about the pandemic? I'll write a full Ofcom about it that you should be ashamed of yourself.'
“The Wuhan joke was in very poor taste.” “Many have lost loved ones or are left in poor condition – not funny,” a second added.
A third wrote: “Sorry but jokes about Covid are in bad taste, we lost a family member because of it.” “I'm a nurse and have been through this too, terrible times.”
'Very tasteless and insensitive joke about Wuhan Labs.'Many people lost their lives to Covid!' A user posted.
However, there were some stars who took the stage and were praised by the audience, including Beverley Knight, who showed off her incredible vocals alongside the cast of Sister Act
Fans praised Beverley's performance as part of the cast of the West End show
One shared: “Did Simon Brodkin make a joke about Covid? The joke about him breaking into a lab, if so isn't that funny, that's sick!!'
However, there were some stars who took the stage and were praised by the audience, including Beverley Knight, who showed off her incredible vocals alongside the cast of Sister Act.
One wrote: “Sister Act saved a terrible Royal Variety performance”
Another said: “Beverley Knight, now we have a bit of class. 'Thank God sister.'
A third wrote: “Sister Act is what I've been looking forward to!” There's no way I'll ever get to see it in the West End. I'm so excited to get a taste!'
A fourth said: “Beverley Knight can do ANYTHING”
Another added: “#beverleyknight is ICON as always, GOD BLESS my IDOL #theroyalvarietyshow”
“@Beverleyknight and the cast of #SisterAct gave me goosebumps at the #RoyalVarietyPerformance. “I MUST see the show in the West End!!,” raved another.
“YAY @beverleyknight and @sisteractsocial light up the #royalvarietyperformance,” a seventh added.
Dressed in an elegant gold dress, Hannah Waddingham also delivered a stunning performance, receiving universal praise from viewers
One wrote: “Wow Hannah Waddingham can SING!!” while another added: “Well our newest national treasure…Hannah Waddingham really delivered back then. “She's something of a star.”
Cher also ended the evening with a performance of her festive new track DJ Play A Christmas Song
The hitmaker was a welcome addition to the Royal Variety cast and was praised by many fans
Dressed in an elegant gold dress, Hannah Waddingham also delivered a stunning performance, receiving universal praise from viewers.
One wrote: “Wow Hannah Waddingham can SING!!” while another added: “Well our newest national treasure…Hannah Waddingham really delivered back then. “She's something of a star.”
A third posted: “Wow! Best act of the evening! Hannah Waddingham. “Amazing,” while one viewer added: “My God, Hannah Waddingham is absolutely extraordinary.”
Cher also ended the evening with a performance of her festive new track 'DJ Play A Christmas Song' and was a welcome addition to the line-up for many in the audience.
One posted: “I have to admit Cher's Christmas song is very catchy.” “I wouldn't mind if it got the highly anticipated #ChristmasNumber1,” while a second added: “Yes we would have preferred to hear a Cher classic, but wow, she looks absolutely amazing for 77.”
A third praised: “This Cher Christmas song is a blast,” while another added: “I have to say this Cher song is very catchy. 'I like that.'
“DJ plays a Christmas song, that's a really good song, Cher is a mother forever,” one person shared.