In this one-off music special, a host of British soap opera stars perform the classic songs of ABBA.
Chris Tarrant (Himself) hosts this tribute concert celebrating the music of the Swedish pop group ABBA. A cast of performers, drawn from the UK’s most popular soap operas, take to the stage to sing a selection of the band’s most famous songs. Participants include Will Mellor, Jane Danson, Wendi Peters, Lucy Benjamin, and the late Bernie Nolan. The programme is a straightforward musical showcase, intercutting the stage performances with short pre-recorded segments.
A sequel to the original 1999 special, this programme repeated a successful formula by combining two mainstays of popular British television: the enduring appeal of ABBA’s music and the familiar faces of soap opera actors. The format, which places recognisable dramatic actors into a light entertainment setting, was a common scheduling tactic of the period. The production itself is an uncomplicated celebration, a straightforward tribute concert designed for peak-time family viewing, relying on the combined star power of its host, performers, and the unassailable ABBA songbook.
Broadcast: ITV – Granada, 1 Episode, 20 November 2004
Written by: Richard Easter
Director: Simon Staffurth
Producer: Simon Marsh
Executive Producer: Jeff Thacker
Theme Music: Ian Levine, Clive Scott
Main Cast: Chris Tarrant (Host), Jodi Albert, Charlotte Bellamy, Lucy Benjamin, Jane Danson, James Gaddas, Vickie Gates, Michelle Hardwick, Will Mellor, Bernie Nolan, Lee Otway, Tricia Penrose, Wendi Peters, Carley Stenson
