In days of old a barker stood outside a circus shouting: “Step right this way!” Following that tradition Variety – showbiz’s charity for children – calls its chair of trustees the Chief Barker; the person who drives fund-raising for thousands of disabled and disadvantaged children and young people. I am incredibly proud to have been elected Variety’s incoming Chief Barker.
I am thrilled that on 21 November in the grand ballroom of the London Hilton, Park Lane, the iconic Variety Club showbusiness awards will celebrate their own platinum jubilee.
It is traditionally one of the truly great nights of the awards calendar, celebrating outstanding achievement in theatre, film, television, and music.
Past prestigious winners include The Beatles, Tommy Cooper, Chris Evans, the Rolling Stones, Lenny Henry, Sean Connery, Bruce Forsyth, Abba, Muhammad Ali, Diana Ross and David Walliams.
With the wonderful Amanda Holden hosting, this year’s event will be made even more special since it will also celebrate the 100th birthday of the BBC.
To mark the celebrations and to remember Prince Philip’s magnificent contribution to our charity, Variety has commissioned a one-off Variety Duke of Edinburgh Gold Heart Award.
It will be presented at our awards ceremony to an eminent and cherished person recognising their contribution to the UK. Prince Philip is warmly remembered by all connected with Variety for being its first gold card holder and pivotal to the creation of our great charity two years after he married the Queen.
Wearing my Chief Barker’s hat: “Roll up, roll up!” for exclusive VIP Tickets for this great show, at £600 per person. “Hurry, hurry!” — and email Caroline Monk at Variety for a seat or even a table.
Last week, Variety hosted their 17th Gastronomic Evening with sumptuous menus prepared by Michelin star chefs.
I sat next to the current Chief Barker’s radiant wife, the renowned architect Rewati Prabhu, who was dressed resplendently in a golden saree. On my other side was music industry giant Eliot M Cohen who gifted the world Culture Club, Spandau Ballet, Alison Moyet and Duran Duran from his Red Bus recording studios.
Previous Chief Barker Dilly Kitchlew Williamson was joined by Nikki Gewirtz, founder of Lola Rose jewellery and — according to this paper — the favourite Jewish Princess of the Duchess of Cambridge!
Everyone, of course, is still talking about the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee back in June. My weekend could not have started in finer style, as my wife Katrina and I were guests at my client Dame Joan Collin’s star-studded Jubilee party.
A few days later, Hollywood icon Dame Joan captured the essence of the celebrations as, in a vintage Jaguar, she led a pageant of Dames down the flag-bedecked Mall.
Dame Joan also attended the 30th anniversary party of my company InterTalent at BAFTA recently. I recounted the pivotal moment in my life when I hired Beatles producer Sir George Martin to record Elton John, Sting and Cher.
An incredible journey ensued that took me to places I could never have imagined — including a New York dinner party with Sting, Whitney Houston, Luciano Pavarotti, Gianni Versace, and Elton John.
InterTalent’s 30th birthday celebration was more about the future than the past.
A senior BBC executive on receiving her invitation told me she was in awe that InterTalent always remained ahead of the curve, re-inventing the wheel.
A great example is the way InterTalent embraced TikTok and NFT Digital Art long before they became the zeitgeist. I am proud that for 30 years InterTalent has been a hub for talent and opportunity, focused globally and always on the next big thing.
We were back at BAFTA a few weeks later to celebrate outgoing CEO Amanda Berry. She is now CEO of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Royal Foundation. Amanda re-positioned the BAFTA Film Awards as one of the most globally respected film events of the international calendar.
Seated at our table was renowned philanthropist and one of the nicest people I have ever met Sir Lloyd Dorfman. The secret he did not share that night was that he was shortly to be announced as Chairman of the Royal Opera House board of trustees. Congratulations!
You will understand why my charity shout out this month must be Variety, the children’s charity. Please go to our website variety.org.uk for tickets at the Showbusiness Awards. “Roll up, roll up!”

Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE is chairman of InterTalent Rights Group