It may have taken 40 years but a Cairoli has got them rolling in the aisles at the Alhambra again.

Four decades after the great Charlie Cairoli starred in Bradford's panto his son, Charlie Cairoli junior, has stepped into his father's oversize clown boots for a starring role in this year's Jack and the Beanstalk.

Charlie junior said he was delighted to be appearing at the Alhambra on the 40th anniversary of his late-father's performances on the same stage. He said: "That's absolutely brilliant, I didn't actually know that. We know an awful lot about my dad's career but there are gaps. I did some variety here with him in the '70s but I didn't know he did panto here in '62.

"He always said a Cairoli would be back by popular demand - he just didn't say it would take 40 years!

"It's a great feeling to know I'm on the same stage as my dad was 40 years ago, I think he'd be proud."

Charlie junior, 56, trained as an engineer but joined his father in the clowning business after the pull of the stage became too strong. He partnered Charlie senior at Blackpool's Tower Circus for nine years before his father died in 1980. Now Charlie jnr is sharing the limelight with Billy Pearce and Malandra Burrows in Jack and the Beanstalk until February.

Charlie senior, famed for his red nose and bowler hat, was known all over the world for his tricks, humour and ability to play countless musical instruments. The Italian-born entertainer even gave a command performance for Adolf Hitler in 1936 but tossed the lighter the dictator gave him off Blackpool pier when war broke out three years later.

The clown caused a sensation when he starred in The Frog Prince alongside Freddie Frinton and Billy Dainty at the Alhambra in 1962.

Reviewing the show the Telegraph & Argus's legendary theatre critic Peter Holdsworth reported how the clown's performance brought the house down.

He wrote: "Charlie Cairoli is as superb as ever. A red nosed master of the kingdom of slapstick, he repeatedly proves the wisdom of the adage that the touchstone of art is apparent simplicity.

"His is a realm of flying dough, eccentric musical instruments, collapsing tables and chairs, unexpected drenchings and incomparable mischief."