Clowning royalty Charlie Cairoli Jnr is my guest for this episode. He tells me what life was like growing up with a dad who was a practical joker, what makes a good clown and meeting Princess Diana when he had a custard pie in his hand.

Ceri Dupree is my guest for this weeks episode. He tells me how a random fancy dress party started a career path, his dreams of playing Mother Goose and he reveals the name of his autobiography (if he ever gets round to writing it). 

There are some saucy words in this episode (but nothing too risqué). 

You can see Ceri in Sleeping Beauty this year (20/21) at Southampton's Mayflower Theatre  https://www.mayflower.org.uk/whats-on/sleeping-beauty-pantomime-2020/

You can follow Ceri on Twitter https://twitter.com/ceridupree

Juggler and comedian Steve Royle is this weeks guest. He tells me about how he started juggling ping pong balls, bringing Dan Leno back to the stage and how he once had a proper job. 

This episode was recorded before Steve performed in the Britain's Got Talent Semi-Finals, where he ended up in 3rd place in the final. 

You can hopefully see Steve performing at Pantomonium! The Pantomime at Blackpool's Grand Theatre. Click here for tickets https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/event/pantomonium-2020

His show 'Naturally Insane The Life of Dan Leno' Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/danlenoaroyaljester/

You can follow Steve on Twitter https://twitter.com/steveroylecomic

and visit his website http://www.steveroyle.com for details of his upcoming tour

Actor CJ de Mooi is this weeks guest. He tells me all about his passion for acting, creating the baddie character for the television show Eggheads and spreading positive vibes. 

You can follow CJ on Twitter

https://twitter.com/cjdemooi

Visit his website 

http://www.demooi.co.uk

View his Spotlight

https://www.spotlight.com/profile/9330-8942-4894

And join CJ's Happy Place on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/CJHappyPlace/

The very cheeky Tam Ryan is my guest for this weeks episode. We chat about his time as comic, the challenges he likes to set himself and the joys of being an understudy to a household name. 

 

You can see Tam in Elf at the Winter Gardens Blackpool this season (2020) and here's the link for tickets https://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/whats-on/elf-the-musical

And you can book for Cinderella (2021-22) here https://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/whats-on/cinderella 

 

You can follow Tam on Twitter https://twitter.com/tamryan28 

on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tamryan28 

and his YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZFthNzyyupj0angu_bFmiw/videos

In this episode the versatile circus performer and magician Andrew Van Buren talks about the history of his family and the parallels with the inventor of circus Philip Astley, shyness and possibly the most moving song sheet story you'll ever hear. 

You can find more about Andrew and the family history at the website https://www.vanburen.org.uk

Andrew's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1ZiPgGW2LjzWB_299cmupA

and the link to The Philip Astley Project https://www.philipastley.org.uk

The Welsh Prince of Laughter, Wyn Calvin is my guest for this episode. Recorded a week before his 95th birthday, Wyn tells me how he got started in the business, sharing some of his wonderful stories and advice for performers. 

I would like to thank Wyn and his wife Carole for their hospitality and to David Lloyd-Jones for making this interview possible. 

If you have enjoyed this episode, please click this link to make a donation to Noah's Ark, the Children's Hospital Charity of which Wyn is a founder of https://noahsarkcharity.org/our_people/wyn-calvin-mbe-ostj/

Children's television legend Basil Brush is my guest for this episode. We talk about who he's loved working with over the years, his various 'Misters' and winning over audiences. 

Basil is appearing in Cinderella at Theatre Royal Windsor, click here to book tickets https://theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk/cinderella-2020/ 

You can find out more about Basil and where he's next appearing at his website

https://www.basilbrush.com

You can follow him on social media

https://twitter.com/realbasilbrush

https://www.facebook.com/realbasilbrush/

And you can see Basil on his own YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/basilbrushofficial

I would also like to thank Michael Windsor and Jonathan Owen for their help making this episode possible.

Celebrating 50 years in the business, legendary Pantomime Dame, comedy historian and radio presenter Paul Harris is my guest for this episode. We chat about his famous book (that should be gracing your shelves), the feedback he was given by his science teacher at an after dinner speech and why you should never ask Paul for help with a chandelier. 

You can buy a copy of The Pantomime Book on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0720613191/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_TE5GEb6ZCPTMX

Father and son double act Simmons and Simmons are my guests for this penultimate episode of this series. 

In this episode we talk about Keith’s 50th pantomime and Ben’s 20th, how joining the act happened and how their partnership has evolved. 

You can find more about them and where they're next performing at their website http://www.simmonsandsimmons.org.uk

You can follow them on Twitter https://twitter.com/sasKeithandBen

And you can hear their song Pantomime by following this link http://www.simmonsandsimmons.org.uk/pantomime-song/4594751092