Heart Musicals to air WhatsOnStage Awards backstage

Heart Musicals will broadcast live backstage from the WhatsOnStage Awards at the London Palladium this weekend.

The station will be the exclusive broadcast partner for the 26th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards, airing coverage from 7pm to 10pm on Sunday 8 March with interviews from winners moments after they leave the stage.

The awards are now in their 26th year and return to the London Palladium for the third time, recognising theatre productions and performers chosen by theatregoers themselves.

Heart presenter Lindsey Russell will host the special broadcast. The programme will feature a playlist of nominated and winning shows alongside backstage conversations with performers and creatives taking part in the ceremony.

Among this year’s nominees are productions including Paddington The Musical, Evita, The Great Gatsby and Hercules, while performers nominated in the play categories include Jonathan Bailey, Ncuti Gatwa, Tom Hiddleston and Rosamund Pike.

Lindsey said: “It’s been another brilliant year of theatre and I can’t wait to celebrate the best of the West End at the legendary London Palladium. I’m looking forward to chatting to all the winners backstage and bringing Heart Musicals listeners all the excitement from the awards.”

Alex Wood, Editor-in-Chief at WhatsOnStage, added: “We’re thrilled to be linking up with Heart Musicals as exclusive broadcast partner for this year’s WhatsOnStage Awards.”

The ceremony will include live performances with a 24-piece orchestra and will be hosted by Gina Murray and Mazz Murray, who also fronted the 2025 event.