Witty wordsmith Philip Meek is currently washing his Dame’s colourful collection of outfits ready to delight audiences this Christmas! Talk about getting into the part!

Celebrated playwright and top soap screenwriter Philip Meeks (Emmerdale, Heartbeat, Doctors) is swapping his pen for his dazzling array of pantomime costumes to play the hilarious Dame Widow Twanky in Aladdin at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre from Friday 9 December to Sunday 8 January. Oh yes he is!

How did you get into playing the role of Dame in Panto?

I was writing and directing a Panto for a producer who made a mistake and thought I also played dame. I didn’t correct his mistake, so I conned my way into it.

What is something you want to learn how to do but not had the time, and why?

Speak several languages, play the iano. I had time – I was just too lazy!

If you could go to one point in history, what time or event would you choose to visit?

1936 – I’d want to be in London in a West End show. I’d join the East End. Fight against the Black Shirts!

Which character in a book is most like you, and why?

I’ve never read one like me. I would like to be an evil genius like Moriarty!

What food could you never give up, at any cost?

Grapes. I like mine peeled by someone else!

The house is on fire! You only have 3 minutes to get out! What do you grab to take with you?

The dog and a Maggie Smith caricature. It’s the original by Clive Francis.

If money were no object, what objects would you like to collect?

Fabergé eggs.

If you had the attention of the world for just 15 seconds, what would you say?

There’s only one race – The human race!

What’s been the wrost invention in the 10 years, and why?

Social Media. “The more means we have to communicate, the less we actually communicate.”

You can spend one day being super big or super small. Whic would you choose to be and why?

Neither – I’ll be invisible instead!

What’s a word you repetitively use?

EEEEEE! Other’s aren’t printable!

What was the last photo you took on your phone?

My #GRANDPanto finale headdress!

What is your perfect pizza?

It would have to be one without bread!

Finally, if you had 3 wishes, what would they be?

Wishes are a waste of thinking time. I believe you can already do what you want if you wait long enough.

Running Time approx. 2hrs 20mins including interval (first few performances may be longer)