RECKON PANTO’S HAD ITS DAY IN AN AGE

JIMMY Osmond is turning nasty as Captain Hook in an all-star production of Peter Pan. Joining him are TV actress Meera Syal and Union J’s Jaymi Hensley. Opens at the Birmingham Hippodrome on December 19. See birminghamhippodrome.com BIRDS Of A Feather star Lesley Joseph has returned to panto and this year she’s starring in Cinderella at the Churchill Theatre. See her playing The Fairy Godmother until December 30. For details visit churchilltheatre.co.uk WET Wet Wet star Marti Pellow is evil Abanazar in Aladdin. He’ll be wowing crowds with his amazing voice at The Orchard Theatre until December 30. For details visit orchardtheatre.co.uk SOAP star Michelle Collins is casting spells in Jack And The Beanstalk this year. She’ll be joining X Factor funnyman Chico at the White Rock Theatre when the show opens on Friday. For details visit whiterocktheatre.org.uk

PANTO season is in full swing…oh yes it is!

And for variety legend Bernie Clifton that means being back on stage.

Bernie has been wowing panto audiences for more than 40 years.

And even though he is

82 he has no plans to retire any time soon.

Bernie told the Daily

Star Sunday: “I started in 1976 and since then

I’ve been around the block several times. You name it, I’ve done it. And I’ve had some amazing experiences.

“It hasn’t become clear to me yet that it’s time to slow down. The thing is, it’s great at 82 to be asked to go on stage and mess about and be silly.

“How many people get that chance at my time of life? It’s a privilege. I consider myself a very lucky boy.

“I can’t quite see a time when I will be able to say ‘that’s enough’. “I don’t think age is a barrier like it used to be. Age is just a number.”

This year Bernie is bringing his fam The Cind

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“P one ing dire

“If the one

Pa DAWN French leads a glittering cast at the London Palladium in a lavish production of Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs. She’s joined by comedian Julian Clary, veteran actor Nigel Havers and amazing ventriloquist Paul Zerdin. There will also be routines by former Strictly dancers Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace. It runs until January 13. Details at snowwhite palladium. com.