Daily Star Sunday

E OF SMARTPHONE­S? OH NO IT HASN’T, SAYS TV’S BERNIE

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mous ostrich to Hull’s New eatre in a production of derella. oing two shows a day means he ’t take any chances with his lth. e said: “The schedule is relent. My medical cabinet is full of ry aid known to man. That way n stay healthy and avoid colds sneezes and everything else. Panto really is a test for somelike myself who is approachmi­ddle age…from the wrong ection. f flu or laryngitis pops up then cast members start to drop by one.” antos are playing across the country again this year with a host of big-names appearing.

And Bernie says it’s tradition that’s worth keeping.

He said: “Panto is an oasis in the desert. When you see families in restaurant­s each of them has an individual screen to look at. But at panto they put those devices away and watch the show. “It’s live. With the demise of summer a seasons and variety tours, panto is the one thing that brings the whole family together.

“And with panto anything can happen. One time I was meant to bring a donkey on stage but it had got stuck in traffic so I was given a poodle! That sort of thing happens a lot.”

It’s been decades since Bernie found fame on TV’s Crackerjac­k. But his wacky act is still winning fans.

He added: “Kids really enjoy my act because they have never seen anything like it before. They react very favourably.” YOU can still buy tickets to see Bernie doing his thing on stage this Christmas. He’s playing Baron Hardup – the Wicked Stepmother’s husband – in Cinderella at the New Theatre. The cast also boasts two EastEnders stars in Anita Dobson and Neil McDermott. It runs until December 30. For tickets and more details visit hulltheatr­es.co.uk CORRIE stars Les Dennis and Conor McIntyre are reuniting on stage in Cinderella. They’re playing The Ugly Sisters at the Opera House. Singer Gareth Gates joins them as Prince Charming until December 30. For details visit atgtickets.com /manchester DARREN Day is starring as Captain Hook in Peter Pan. He’s joined by Britain’s Got Talent dance troupe Flawless at Royal & Derngate until December 30. For details visit royalandde­rngate.co.uk FORMER EastEnders stars John Partridge and Samantha Womack are reuniting on stage. They’re starring together in Dick Whittingto­n at the Theatre Royal. The show opens on Friday. For details visit theatreroy­al.com DANCING On Ice judge Ashley Banjo is bringing his Diversity lads to the Cliffs Pavilion. They are starring in Aladdin with dame David Phipps-Davis and comic Ian Royce. It opens on Friday. Tickets at southendth­eatres.org.uk ADAM Woodyatt is taking a break from playing hapless Ian Beale to star as Abanazar in Aladdin. He’s at the Wyvern Theatre until January 6. For details and bookings visit swindonthe­atres.co.uk STRICTLY star Lee Ryan is back on stage this Christmas in Aladdin. He’s alongside TV’s Paul Merton at New Wimbledon Theatre until January 6. Visit atgtickets.com/shows/aladdin/ new-wimbledon-theatre

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