Samantha Barks to host show on Heart Musicals

Stage and screen star Samanatha Barks is joining Heart Musicals to host a new show that will include songs from the biggest West End, Broadway and movie musicals, alongside exclusive acoustic performances.

The show, called ‘First, Last, Fave,’ will invite listeners on air to chat about the first musical they ever saw, the last one they watched and their all-time favourite. It will air on Saturday afternoons between 12pm and 3pm.

‘First, Last, Fave’ was announced on Heart this morning (3 September) by movie and musical actor Hugh Jackman, alongside presenters Amanda Holden and JK.

Who is Samantha Barks?

Barks is a major West End and Broadway star known for playing Elsa in the West End production of Frozen The Musical, including the filmed version on Disney Plus, and for performing in Les Misérables on stage and in the 2012 film.

She also won the 2025 series of ITV’s The Masked Singer, as Pufferfish.

Barks said during the announcement: “I am so excited! I want it to be our little stagey place [where] we can just be complete musical theatre nerds together.”

She added in a statement: “If you love musicals as much as me, then make sure you’re with me every weekend! We’ll hear from the stars, bring you the latest musical theatre news and have loads of your messages throughout the show too!

“I really want to hear from you guys, and I want this to be our show.”

Richard Steel, managing editor of Heart said: “I’m hugely excited to welcome Samantha to the Heart team! She’s an incredible talent, a proper star on stage and screen, and someone our audience already loves.

“Her new Saturday show is going to become a real appointment to listen for musical theatre fans, and I can’t wait to hear her bring her personality, stories and genuine love of musicals to Heart every weekend. Plus, our team karaoke nights have just stepped up a notch!”

Barks will star in Disney Theatrical Group’s new stage musical based on the hit movie, The Greatest Showman. The show is coming to Theatre Royal Drury Lane in Spring 2027, as revealed during last month’s Disney D23 fan convention.

Barks will reprise the role of Charity Barnum after doing so for the show’s sell-out stint at Bristol Hippodrome earlier this year, alongside Oliver Tompsett (Pretty Woman, & Juliet) as P.J. Barnum.

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Main photo: Samantha Barks will host the new show on Saturdays.