Des O'Connor 'The Wizard' in Wizard of Oz from 22 May

80 year old Des O'Connor who has made 1,200+ solo appearances at the London Palladium, will take over the role of 'The Wizard' in Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of The Wizard of Oz, at the London Palladium from 22 May 2012 to 2 Sep 2012, when the show will close. (It was originally booking to 28 Oct 2012).

Sophie Evans continues to play Dorothy.

Since Des O'Connor's first TV appearance in 1963 he has starred in his own shows for over 45 years - longer than anyone else anywhere in the world. His most recent titles include the Des O'Connor Tonight Specials, the ITV talk show Today with Des and Mel. He is also a hugely successful music and recording artist, having produced no less than 36 albums, selling over 16 million copies to date, and spending 117 weeks in the top ten of the charts. Des O'Connor made his musical theatre debut in "Dreamboats & Petticoats" last October.

This production opened at the London Palladium 1 March 2011, following previews from 7 February, to moderate notices from the popular press. It has music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E Y Harburg, with additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice .

It is directed by Jeremy Sams, choreography by Arlene Phillips, designed by Rob Jones. produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Bill Kenwright.

Click your heels together and join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her little dog Toto, as they journey through the magical land, helped and hindered by the Witches of Oz, to meet the Wizard and obtain their heart's desires. Songs include: Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Follow the Yellow Brick Road, If I Only Had a Heart and We're Off to See the Wizard.