A natter with Christopher Biggins

With the wig and heavy make-up it may be difficult to identify the actor dressed up as a panto dame – but once Christopher Biggins speaks the mystery is solved.

His big booming voice and infectious laughter means he attracts curious glances and waves from fans.

But the showbiz legend takes it all in his stride and stops to talk to his admirers like they are long lost friends.

Biggins was in Wolverhampton talking about his pantomime Aladdin, which is at the Grand Theatre later this year, and will see him taking on the role of Widow Twankey.

He said: "This is a phenomenal pantomime and we did it in Plymouth last year and it broke all box office records.

"It's like an old fashioned London Palladium pantomime with incredible sets and wonderful costumes.

"There is a 3D genie which is absolutely wonderful."

Biggins says this is his 10th pantomime as Widow Twankey.

He said: "I like Widow Twankey because she is a bit of a sauce pot. She always has a twinkle in her eye.

"I've done theatre, television and radio and being on stage is my favourite because you get an instant reaction to what you do.

"I recently did a TV series called Psychoville, which comes out next year, but by that time I have forgotten about it and I'm onto the next thing."

Biggins was crowned 'King of the Jungle' in 2007 on 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here' and loved the experience.

He said: "I would never have missed it for the world, but I wouldn't do it again.

"All you have are your fellow contestants and when I was in there around 75 per cent of them were fantastic, but it is that 25 per cent who made it hard.

"It's the Janice Dickinsons of this world who make it difficult.

"However, tonight I'm having dinner with Katie Hopkins, who was in I'm a Celebrity and The Apprentice.

"She has been labelled the most hated woman in Britain after she was found having a romp in a field with a married man, but she is actually lovely."

Biggins is looking forward to coming to Wolverhampton, even though he won't see much of it.

He said: "Last night we went to a very good Chinese in Wolverhampton called The Queens and I'm staying at the Novotel, which is fabulous.

"There are two venues I will be seeing in Wolverhampton – one is the hotel, the other is the theatre –and both of them are fantastic places."