Comedy legend takes final bow at best-selling panto

Tommy Cannon performs alongside Leah Bell in his last ever pantomime run in Consett Empire's Jack and the Beanstalk.

Tommy leaves panto on a high

Tommy, who has been entertaining pantomime audiences for 48 years, is hanging up his costume and leaving the stage on a high, after starring in the best-selling pantomime run in the theatre's history.

Over 16,400 people watched Tommy, alongside Leah Bell, Crissy Rock and a full supporting cast, spread fee-fi-fo-FUN across 37 performances of Jack and the Beanstalk at the venue, which we run.

Tommy, who played the Lord Mayor Tommy Tomato in this year's production, has entertained Empire Consett audiences for the past two years after his debut as Emperor Tommisso Cannonisso in 2021's performance of Aladdin.

Audiences at the County Durham theatre bid a fond farewell to Tommy, who made his pantomime debut in 1975 alongside comedy partner Bobby Ball in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Bradford Alhambra.

Following his last panto performance, Leah and the cast paid tribute to the actor with a special recording from his family played to audiences who gave him a standing ovation.

'A privilege to have Tommy perform'

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, our Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: "It has been a privilege to have Tommy perform in our pantomimes and to share in the joy he's brought to our audiences. We wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.

"We celebrated giant audiences at Consett this year, but the fun won't stop there. Leah will be returning to Empire Consett later this year to write, direct and star in the most magical fairy-tale of all - Cinderella.

"Tickets are on sale now and audiences can expect a show packed full of adventure, fun, dazzling costumes, hit songs, audience participation and all their favourite characters."

Tickets available for Empire's 2024 panto

Consett Empire's 2024 pantomime, Cinderella, runs from Friday 29 November to Tuesday 31 December with accessible performances including a relaxed performance on Friday 27 December at 11am and BSL interpreted performance on Saturday 28 December at 3pm.