Celeb panto stars have made plenty of mistakes (Image: Tiktok/TheatreRoyal)
Celebs have taken their fair share of turns in pantomimes, but it doesn’t always go smoothly.
While some have been a total hit, a few famous faces have shared their horror stories including on-stage blunders. Some notable appearances include Julian Clary and Nigel Havers as recurring stars in London Palladium pantos like Cinderella and Robin Hood as well as of as Fairy Flutterby in Beauty and the Beast.
The Express takes a look at some of the most awkward moments celebrities have faced on the panto stage, from forgotten lines to unexpected slip-ups.
:
Making stuff up
Katie Price struggled with nerves (Image: KatiePrice/Instagram)
Former glamour model took on the role of the Wicked Fairy in Sleeping Beauty last year, performing at the M&S Arena in Liverpool.
Playing Carabosse, a character also known as Maleficent in the Disney movies, Katie admitted she struggled with nerves during the pantomime. She confessed to forgetting her lines and improvising on stage after facing criticism from online trolls.
She said: “I am broken, knackered. If I have to read another script line…
“My head is ready to explode. For the past six days I’ve had to learn a full script, dance songs for panto that I don’t know or I’ve never even heard of.”
Katie added: “On top of that my nerves. The stress I’ve put on myself this week is ridiculous. I have ballsed my lines up and had to make some stuff up, so hopefully nobody noticed it.”
Dead co-star
The comedian performed without his brother for the first time on stage (Image: Getty)
In 2018, Paul Chuckle reflected on the bittersweet experience of performing without his late brother, Barry, after more than five decades of working together.
That Christmas, Paul took on a role in the pantomime Cinderella at Woking Theatre, marking the first time he appeared on stage without Barry by his side.
“It’s good to talk about him and get it out in the open,” Paul shared in his first TV interview following Barry’s passing. Reflecting on their bond, he added: “Not only have we been together since I was born, we worked together for 55 years.”
Forgetting lines
Rinder spoke out about his experience in a pantomime (Image: Getty)
Best known for appearing on and his courtroom reality show, Robert Rinder stepped into the world of pantomime for the first time in 2021.
Making his debut at the Bristol Hippodrome, the 46-year-old took on the role of The Man in the Mirror in a production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.
Ahead of the show, Rob shared his apprehensions about learning his lines, detailing his struggles in a column for The Evening Standard.
He admitted: “I’m having a wonderful time. There’s just one problem: I can’t seem to remember my lines. I’ve no idea why — I usually remember things pretty photographically but for some reason, a script filled with rhyming couplets and double entendres just isn’t sticking. “Happily, I’ve ended up motivated by the rapper Papoose, who I recently met on a chat show. His Alphabetical Slaughter has poetry so profound that it makes Sylvia Plath seem like Dr Seuss. Inspired by his linguistic brilliance, line by line, I may just be ready for curtain up.”