Christopher Biggins has shared his thoughts on the government shutting down pantomimes amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, labelling it ‘disgusting’.
The panto legend, 72, was disappointed that pantomimes were halted when the government moved London into tier three at the start of December, before putting tier four into place over the weekend.
Christopher’s own run in Jack and the Beanstalk at Dartford’s Orchard Theatre was cancelled as the restrictions came into play.
He told Good Morning Britain that theatres had put Covid-safe precautions in place: ‘So many pantomimes have been cancelled this year, including mine. I was going to Dartford.
‘So many people have lost pantomimes recently, including the London Palladium, which was tragic that they lost theirs. They did six performances and then the Government took them off.
‘It was disgusting, just disgraceful. It was a wonderful, wonderful pantomime. I went to see the last performance.
‘But just six performances they did, after lots and lots of rehearsing and putting it on. It was so safe, the Palladium, it wasn’t true. All the theatres have been safe. It has been very tragic, the whole thing.’
Christopher, who has been starring in panto for the last 44 years, is also due to speak at his close friend Dame Barbara Windsor’s funeral, which will be held in January.
While it will be a quiet ceremony due to the ongoing restrictions, Christopher is hoping fans and friends will get to say goodbye to the EastEnders and Carry On legend with a proper memorial once the pandemic is over.
He explained: ‘She was an extraordinary woman and I have to say Scott, her husband, is the most extraordinary man. He is a saint. It will be very difficult for all of us, especially Scott.
;But, anyway, it is good to say goodbye properly and obviously, next year or sometime in the future, there will be a massive thousands of people invited to a memorial service for Barbara, which will be wonderful.’
Credit: Original article published here.The post Christopher Biggins says closing down pantos is ‘disgusting’ amid coronavirus pandemic: ‘All the theatres have been safe’ appeared on My Celebrity Life.