Showbiz legend, Jimmy Tarbuck, returned to the pantomime stage last night to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

Appearing as the Sultan Of Morocco, for one night only, the pantomime stalwart made a rare return to the festive stage, delighting a full house on the anniversary of Wolverhampton’s much loved Grand Theatre, which opened exactly 125 years ago last night. 

Opening on 10th December 1894 with a performance by D’oyly Carte Opera Company, the Grand hosted its first pantomime just two weeks later, with ‘Sinbad the Sailor’ opening on Christmas Eve. Since then, the theatre has enjoyed a rich history of pantomime. Tarbuck, who is synonymous with audiences at the London Palladium, said:

“It’s a pleasure to be in such a nice theatre as Wolverhampton Grand which I totally regard as a ‘Baby Palladium’ – this is as close as you’ll get.

“This theatre must be wrapped in cotton wool, the city of Wolverhampton is blessed to have this theatre, how very lucky the people are and they should come and support it forever more.

”If you can’t do it on this very stage, don’t do it.” 

Coronation Street star, Ryan Thomas, has the title role in this year’s gold-paved, must-see pantomime - ‘Dick Whittington’, joining Hi-de-Hi stars; Su Pollard and Jeffrey Holland, comedian Aaron James and returning favourites Ian Adams and Julie Paton.

Tickets for the show, which runs until Sunday 12th January 2020, are now on sale and can be booked in person at the theatre, by calling 01902 42 92 12 or online at grandtheatre.co.uk.