My granda’ was my inspiration
LIAM DOLAN
THE star of this year’s Pavilion panto first appeared on the famous theatre’s stage 25 years ago – when he was attacked by Rod Hull and Emu.
Liam Dolan was 13 and the audience’s reaction to his impromptu performance confirmed this was what he wanted to do for a living. But Liam, from Kilmarnock, has his grandfather to thank for his career.
“I was always doing impressions of people like Dame Edna and Frank Spencer and my granda’ said I had a talent,” Liam said.
“He took me to the Palace Theatre in Kilmarnock when I was seven and said to the person at the box office that I needed to be on stage, so I started going to the youth theatre.
“I’m so thankful to him. We knew him as Da’, because that’s what my mum and aunties called him, so when I set up my own company a couple of years ago I called it Ta-Da Productions, to say thanks Da’.”
Liam appeared in panto at The Palace for more than a decade, as well as pantomimes around the UK. But he says starring in Elfie’s Magical Adventure at the Pavilion, where he plays Elfie, is a dream come true.
“I’ve been to so many shows in the Pavilion,” he continued.
“Even walking up to the building every day feels magical.”
Liam received advice from Johnny Beattie when he was a youngster working backstage at The Palace and wrote to Gerard Kelly.
“He sent me a lovely letter, which I still have, saying I was doing the right thing by going to youth theatre. He also said if a bampot like him could appear on stage and telly, anyone could!”
When Liam was growing up, he most wanted to be like Phillip Schofield.
“When I was 11 my careers advisor asked what I wanted to be and I said the next Phillip Schofield. I was advised to become a plumber or joiner instead.
“Years later, I entered a BBC competition where they were looking for a new kids’ TV presenter – 14,500 entered and it was eventually whittled down to three for a live public vote. And I won. I wondered if the careers advisor was watching.
“I presented CBBC and then on GMTV for two years before Ant and Dec’s SMTV Live.
“While I was at CBBC, Phillip presented the lottery but he still knew people at CBBC and we all went out for dinner. We kept in touch and a couple of years ago I contacted him to ask who I should speak to about This Morning and I ended up presenting the entertainment news on the show for a summer.”
n Elfie’s Magical Adventure, Pavilion, until Jan 15.
I wanted to be the next Phillip Schofield – but was advised to become a plumber