Panto-goers have something to celebrate this Christmas - Billy's back in town!

Bradford's favourite funnyman Billy Pearce is returning to this year's Alhambra pantomime, Aladdin. It will be Billy's eighth panto at the theatre.

And while he might be told to break a leg' he hopes he won't end up with an injury this year, unlike previous productions at the Alhambra which have left him with a cracked rib and a broken toe, finger and collarbone!

"I cracked my rib in Dick Whittington two years ago," he said. "I was attached to a harness, dangling high above the stage, and my rib just went. It was Christmas Eve, I spent the rest of the performance in agony and all Christmas Day lying on the floor.

"I went to hospital and they kept me in so I turned up for the next performance 45 minutes late! I got a fantastic reception from the audience, I was so touched."

Last year Billy took a break from Bradford to appear in Aladdin at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. He said he felt like he was "coming home" this year.

"I wanted to give Bradford audiences a break from me," he said. "I missed them though, and this lovely theatre. I walked into the auditorium this morning and it took my breath away, it always does. I'm honoured to be invited back, I feel like I belong here."

Billy will be starring alongside the country's first 3D Genie. It is operated by interactive effects technology, known as Bogglevision, which projects spectacular hovering and floating images around the auditorium and interacts with the audience who wear 3D glasses.

John Conway, artistic director of Qdos Entertainment, which is producing the show, said: "When Aladdin falls into the cave it's all 3D; there are moving images everywhere, including spooks, spiders and the magic lamp. There's even a swimming pool and Ferrari! The images will leap out at the audience, you'll feel like you can reach out and touch them. It's never been done in theatre before."

The panto also features a 3D magic carpet ride, acrobats from the Mongolian State Circus and illusionist Philip Hitchcock.

American actress and singer Lila McConigley, who has worked with Elton John, Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake, plays the Princess.

Lila said: "I'm from New York and there is nothing like panto in the States. I was in Aladdin with Brian Conley in London last year and I remember thinking What on earth is this all about?' It's great fun, it appeals to everyone and the crowd fuels you.

"It's a real shame we don't have it in America, I think they'd love it."

The Alhambra pantomime, regarded as one of Britain's best, starts a week earlier than usual, on Friday, December 8, and ends on Sunday, January 28 instead of in February.

Producers hope to break the box office record, beating last year's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, starring Lesley Joseph, which made £1,030,712.

Ticket prices start at £5 - the same as last year. Call (01274) 432000 or visit www.bradford-theatres.co.uk.

e-mail: emma.clayton@bradford.newsquest.co.uk