Drag Star, Danny Beard, joins cast of Wolverhampton Panto

Drag Race UK winner and Celebrity Big Brother star, Danny Beard, has been announced as part of a sparkling cast for this year’s pantomime at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Danny will star as the most glamourous villain of Sleeping Beauty, Carabosse.

Speaking on The Gossip Gays, a podcast that Danny Beard hosts with his best friend DJ Billy Andrew, the drag performer and panto star made the excited announcement of his return to panto.

Sharing the news with his co-host and producers on the "camp, crazy and coo-coo" podcast, Danny said: “I am back treading the boards, six weeks, in the beautiful Wolverhampton Grand Theatre playing Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty.

“[Panto’s] a really good tradition that I love being part of and I’ve not been a part of for so long but I’m really looking forward to it. [For] the show I’ve helped come up with ideas and songs, and I think if you’re a fan of me or panto you’re gonna love it.”

“Anyone that wants to come and see it, book a ticket because they are selling fast. They had 60,000 people see the show last year. It’s an independent show which drew me to it… This is written specifically for this theatre. The set, the costumes, everything is brand new. They’ve put thousands and thousands of pounds into it. And panto is one of the things that keeps a lot of theatres alive.”

Danny Beard will star alongside: Debra Stephenson is one of Britain’s best loved comedy impressionists as Queen Bertha of Bilstonia; homegrown talents Zak Douglas as The Herald and Solomon Davy as Prince; actor, singer, compere and stand-up comedian Tam Ryan as Mickey Fortune; theatre writer, actor and vocalist Ian Adams and Dame Mary Fortune; and Bat Out of Hell and Heathers actor Georgia Iudica-Davies as Princess Beauty.

The production is co-created by Tam Ryan and Ian Adams who are returning to star in their fifth and ninth pantomimes respectively.

Creative Director of Wolverhampton Grand Theatre and producer of SLEEPING BEAUTY Tim Colegate said; “Once again, the Grand Theatre pantomime comes together with a magical recipe of cast members, bringing together national stars and championing local talent, too. There really is something for everyone in this line up, plus a brand-new set and costumes designed especially for the Grand, dazzling choreography, fabulous musical numbers and of course, comedy by the bucketload! We are very proud to produce this show in-house and are committed to giving our treasured audiences everything they have come to expect from a Wolverhampton Grand panto.”

Sleeping Beauty runs at The Wolverhampton Grand Theatre through the festive period from Saturday 29th November 2025 until Sunday 4th January 2026. Tickets are on sale now: https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/sleeping-beauty/