Ever-popular panto star Steve Royle took his 1,000th bow on the beautiful Blackpool Grand Theatre stage on Thursday 22 December! Oh yes, he did!

Everyone’s favourite finalist from ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, Steve Royle is starring as Silly Billy in this year’s magical pantomime Sleeping Beauty. This was the thousandth time he has delighted every member of his lucky panto audience with his marvellous madcap antics!

Steve is swapping lines in his magnificent millennial year with Dancing on Ice champion and Emmerdale star Hayley Tamaddon, celebrated playwright and top soap screenwriter Philip Meeks (Emmerdale, Heartbeat, Doctors), award-winning actor and director Daniel Taylor, Christina Meehan (Around the World In 80’s Days) and Maisie Sellwood in Sleeping Beauty’s enchanting tale of magic, mayhem and misunderstandings live on the Grand Theatre’s famous stage.

But what was Steve Royle’s first-ever pantomime at The Grand?

It was Peter Pan with Maureen Nolan in 2002,

said Steve.

As long as I can remember my eldest daughter’s birthday then I can remember what year I did my first panto at The Grand, because she was just 10 months old and learnt to walk in the narrow corridors outside the dressing rooms holding onto the walls for support. I’ve held on to those same walls for support many times since then during after show parties!

Popular panto star Steve has also made hundreds of his co-stars laugh along the way, with some of them becoming firm friends.

I have been lucky enough to work with some amazing people from various areas and eras of show business,” he says. “Some have gone on to become close friends like Tom Lister, Danny Miller, Amy Thompson, & Hayley Kay. I recently went to Danny Millers wedding, and it was wonderful to see him do so well becoming King of the Castle on I’m a Celebrity!

But why does he love panto so much? Steve said:

I love panto for the same reasons comic legend Ken Dodd loved panto. It’s unique in the way it brings together all areas of the entertainment world. I get the chance to work with actors, dancers, singers, magicians and others all with amazing lives and careers. We also get to perform for young people who are often visiting the theatre for the first time. This can lead to a lifelong love of live entertainment. It’s always a pleasure when I meet people during the year and they tell me they have been watching me in panto all or most of their lives. It does, however, also make me feel old. Oh yes, it does!!

And why does he choose to perform in panto at The Grand year after year?

Not only do I get to perform in the fabulous medium of pantomime, but I also get to do it in one of the world’s most beautiful theatres. I did pantomimes in other venues before Blackpool Grand, but there is no other place like it and I always get excited when I walk onto that stage knowing that so many entertainment greats have done so before me – Gracie Fields, Peggy Ashcroft, Rex Harrison, John Gielgud, Noel Coward, Thora Hird, Arthur Askey, Sid James and the late 19th-century vaudeville star Dan Leno (who I was privileged to play recently in a tour of Naturally Insane and in London’s West End) and, of course, my personal hero Ken Dodd. Add to that the fact that it is run by some amazing people, including the wonderful Friends of the Grand (of whom I have the privilege of being an honourary member). I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!

Blackpool Grand Theatre says Thank You a thousandfold to Steve Royle for his incredible 1,000 pantomime performances. Oh yes, we do!  

And you still can too by booking your seats now for this year’s fabulous, family pantomime Sleeping Beauty. It’s jam-packed with marvellous music and dance, fun and laughter, stunning sets, amazing costumes and exciting special effects to keep audiences both young and old entertained! It’s the perfect way to experience the traditional magic of Christmas.

Once upon a time, a beautiful Princess pricks her finger on a spindle wheel, which has been cursed by the evil Carabosse, on the eve of her 18th Birthday party. Can the Good Fairy’s magical spell break the curse? The Princess can only be awoken by true love’s kiss. Will she find her true love and live happily ever after? Fly to Blackpool’s Grand Theatre and find out how the story ends…

Sleeping Beauty is at Blackpool Grand Theatre until Sunday 1 January 2023 with matinee and evening performances.

Book your seats now before you miss out on all the magic! –  Please call the Box Office on 01253 290190 or visit www.BlackpoolGrand.co.uk for bookings and further information.