You’ll never believe how much these soap stars are being paid for doing panto
YOU could be forgiven for thinking that celebrities who sign up to pantomime are desperately clinging on to their career.
But the truth is, panto appearances are big money, and can see stars - who are still at the height of their fame - earn big money quickly.
In fact, a run as short as three weeks in a leading role can earn famous faces, including those from our favourite soaps, up to six-figure salaries. Oh yes it can.
Last year, Coleen Nolan was declared the richest panto star of them all, reportedly taking home in the region of £200k for her role as The Fairy Godmother in 72 performances of Cinderella in Bradford.
Julian Clary wasn't far behind in his role as Spirit of the Bells in the London Palladium's production of Dick Whittington, with a reported £192k pay packet.
The 59-year-old is returning to the theatre this year in Snow White alongside Dawn French in her panto debut.
Shane Ritchie
Coleen's ex-husband and EastEnders star Shane Richie is also a panto favourite and was reportedly set to earn £120k to play Robin Hood in Woking last year.
The 54-year-old is set to reprise the role this year in Milton Keynes, and likely for a similar pay packet.
Ryan Thomas
Soap stars past and present are a popular addition to any pantomime line-up, however, unlike EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale stars have to wait until they have left their respective soap before they can capitalise on the panto windfall.
Former Corrie star Ryan Thomas is set to make the most of winning Celebrity Big Brother earlier this year in a starring role as Captain Hook in the Hayes production of Peter Pan, and will likely receive a six-figure pay cheque too.
However his brother - former Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas - didn't have much luck last year when his pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk was cancelled after the cast walked out over a pay dispute.
But when a production is on form, the money can come rolling in, as ex-Coronation Street actor Brian Capron revealed back in 2012.
The 71-year-old, who played villain Richard Hillman, told The Telegraph: "The great thing about being an actor is that sometimes it is possible to earn a lot of money quite quickly.
"I am earning more in one pantomime than my pensions and rental income put together."
Steve McFadden
Some of the biggest earners from the world of soap are BBC stars such as Phil Mitchell actor, Steve McFadden.
As far back as 2011, the 59-year-old was reportedly earning £200k to play the villain in panto.
This year he is set to play King Rat in Dick Whittington in Southampton and will no doubt secure another six-figure pay packet.
Adam Woodyatt
Also earning a nice little side-gig away from the day job is his co-star Adam Woodyatt, better known as Ian Beale.
Adam, has been on the panto circuit for years and reportedly earns around £130,000 a production.
This year he stars as Abanazar in Aladdin in Swindon.
Les Dennis and Connor McIntyre
Two former Coronation Street actors - Les Dennis and Connor McIntyre - are joining forces to play the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella in Manchester this Christmas.
Having made their mark as Michael Rodwell and Pat Phelan respectively, it's unlikely the pair will be walking away with less than six-figure salaries.
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Jamie Lomas
Ex-Hollyoaks actor Jamie Lomas will be taking to the stage in Sunderland this year, while former EastEnders star Sid Owen will appear in Lowescroft and both will be playing Captain Hook.
While possibly slightly smaller productions than big cities such as Birmingham, London or Manchester, the men are likely to earn a decent Christmas pay packet for their couple of weeks stints.
It isn't just soap stars who sign up for panto every year, as Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood was rumoured to have received a £100k pay cheque for playing The Wicked Queen in Snow White in Southampton for three weeks last year.
This year, the 53-year-old will play the Wicked Stepmother in Woking's production of Cinderella.
His co-star Shirley Ballas is making her panto debut in Liverpool's Jack and the Beanstalk as Mother Nature, and will no doubt be looking to match Craig's sum.
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