From telly’s most famous duo Ant and Dec to the mighty Hunter from Gladiators and the lovable Orville the Duck, a galaxy of stars have appeared at Sunderland Empire pantomimes over the years. We’ve rounded up some of the biggest names
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1. Ant & Dec, Snow White, 1998
Despite being famous Geordies, Ant & Dec, then better known as PJ & Duncan, appeared in panto in Sunderland in 1998. They were a big hit with audiences, however, Sunderland fanzine A Love Supreme dropped them from an advert for the panto, because they are huge Newcastle United fans. Photo: Sunderland Echo
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2. Hunter, Sleeping Beauty, 1995
Back in the '90s Gladiators was one of the biggest shows on TV and in 1995 Hunter became the Prince in Sleeping Beauty, alongside Ken Morley from Coronation Street as Muddles. He was photographed by the Echo with pensioner Tommy Reilly of Hylton Castle who won the hearts of Sunderland people by tackling two teenage thugs. Hunter presented Tommy and his wife, Florence with a certificate and flowers at a special Christmas dinner organised by the city's Lazarus Foundation. Photo: Sunderland Echo
3. Keith Harris & Orville, Humpty Dumpty, 1986
Not everyone hated that duck, in fact, audiences loved Orville when he was the panto star of 1986. Back then, the city held an annual panto parade and Orville was the star attraction. Photo: JPI Media
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4. Faye Tozer, Sleeping Beauty, 2016
Faye Tozer, from Steps, didn't have far to travel for work when she played the Good Fairy in 2016's panto Sleeping Beauty. The singer and actress lives in West Boldon with her Sunderland-born husband and their son. Photo: JPI Media