Sir Cliff Richard has said he would love the chance to play a Joanna Lumley-style pantomime dame.
The star shared his festive dream on the red carpet of the London Palladium on the press night of Cinderella – the first panto to be brought to the historic venue in 30 years.
Sir Cliff Richard (Jonathan Brady PA Wire/PA Images)
He told the Press Association: “Pantomime has always been a part of Christmas and for me to be at the Palladium… I was here back in 1964 and I was the first man ever to play Aladdin. I said I would do it but only if I can play a lead role.
“Then I was back two years later for Cinderella but I didn’t play the lead role there.
“I think I’d like to do a dame next, but a bit more like Joanna Lumley.”
With @Cinderella_LDN opening on Sat, we're throwing back this week to some past @PalladiumLondon pantos, stay tuned! #palladiumpanto pic.twitter.com/9a4CbnzO9T
— London Palladium (@PalladiumLondon) December 12, 2016
Commenting on his return to the charts this year with his seasonal single It’s Better To Dream, the 76-year-old said: “I can’t believe that after all these years Elvis and I are both in the charts – the new, young whippersnappers still have to compete with us.”
Sir Cliff Richard (Ian West PA Wire/PA Images)
Often described as one of the kings of Christmas music, he added: “I don’t understand where I got that title but I’m happy to wear the crown.”
The dame-inspired role is this year being taken on by Paul O’Grady, who plays Baroness Hardup in the Qdos Entertainment production.
Much-loved dame actor Christopher Biggins also attended the event on Wednesday.
Christopher Biggins (Ian West/PA Archive/PA Images)
He told the Press Association: “It’s so fantastic that the Palladium pantomime is back in London.
“Paul is not quite a dame, but it’s a female performance and only he can do it. I think he is absolutely brilliant.”
The show also stars Julian Clary as Dandini and Amanda Holden as The Fairy Godmother.
Wishing the cast of @Cinderella_LDN a fantastic show for this evening's #PressNight! @JulianClary @AmandaHolden @leemeadofficial #breakaleg pic.twitter.com/HLe6ipm3J4
— London Palladium (@PalladiumLondon) December 14, 2016
It will run at the London Palladium until January 15.
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here