A PANTO season is always special. For youngsters it might be their first experience of the theatre and they are captivated by the magic of it all.

But it’s the same for performers, many of whom just love to have those few weeks pencilled into their diaries each year knowing they are helping preserve a great festive tradition.

Steve Royle loves panto and this year will be even more special than usual for the Britain’s Got Talent finalist and award-winning comedian. For as Sleeping Beauty opens this weekend at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre Steve will be notching up his 1,000th performance in panto at the theatre during the run.

His first seasonal outing was in 2002.

“It was Peter Pan with Maureen Nolan,” 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!”

So what is it that appeals to him so much?

“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. “

This year Steve will be starring as Silly Billy alongside Dancing on Ice champion and Emmerdale star Hayley Tamaddon.

“I have been lucky enough to work with some amazing people from various areas and eras of show business,” he said.

“Some have gone on to become close friends like Tom Lister, Danny Miller, Amy Thompson, & Hayley Kay. I recently went to Danny Miller’s wedding, and it was wonderful to see him do so well becoming King of the Castle on I’m a Celebrity last year.”

Steve came third in Britain’s Got Talent in 2020 and is much in demand as both a performer and writer. He starred in the world premier tour of Naturally Insane: The Life of Dan Leno which went into the West End in 2021. He has also worked with major names in comedy including Peter Kay - Steve was in Phoenix Nights - Dave Spikey, Mick Miler and Roy Walker.

He began his career at the Camelot theme park where many families may remember him as Mad Edgar, the court jester. But his first love is stand-up and is in great demand as a warm-up act for many popular TV shows including A Question of Sport, The Price is Right and even Mastermind.

So what is it that keeps Steve coming back to Blackpool Grand every 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.,” he said. “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 on to 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 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!”

Sleeping Beauty at Blackpool Grand Theatre runs until January 1. Details from www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk