Performing in the Alhambra pantomime, opposite Billy Pearce, has now been ticked off Hilary O’Neil’s ‘bucket list’.

She was last in panto at the Bradford theatre 23 years ago – but performing with the city’s favourite funnyman has long been on Hilary’s wish-list.

“There’s nowhere like the Alhambra, and I adore Billy,” she says. “We get a fantastic audience reaction at the end of every show – it overhelms me.

“This is my 30th panto. I’ve played Cinders and principal boys, then the time comes when you get that call from the producers – “how would you like to play the Wicked Queen?’ – but I’ve embraced the character roles. They’re more fun.”

Hilary is currently playing the wise-cracking Sorceress in Robin Hood. She last trod the Alhambra boards in 1989, starring in Cinderella opposite Jim Davidson and Charlie Drake.

“I love being back. I’m told that when Laurel and Hardy appeared at the Alhambra they shared the dressing-room I’m in!” says Hilary. “Whenever I leave my stuff everywhere I hear the words ‘That’s another fine mess...’ “I spend my year performing on cruise ships, working on my own, so with panto it’s like having a family around me. It’s nice to spend some time in one place for a while. We have a great camararderie here, with cast, crew and theatre staff.”

Hilary has audiences in stitches with her razor-sharp impressions of the likes of Cheryl Cole and Gavin And Stacey’s Nessa.

After starting out as a singer and dancer, performing with Ken Dodd at the London Palladium, she got her television break as an impressionist on 1980s show Copycats, and today her voice can be heard on TV commercials and greetings cards – as everyone from Sybil Fawlty to Madonna.

“At school I’d do teachers’ voices and make everyone laugh,” says Hilary. “I can pick up a voice and mannerisms straight away. If it isn’t there in a heartbeat, I don’t do it. There’s so much to go on these days, especially with all the reality TV.”

Hilary has written her impressions scenes in the panto, including a Strictly Come Dancing spoof, playing ‘Twice Daly’ alongside Billy.

“I think I’m going to slip some TOWIE and Ab Fab impressions in,” she says, adding a pitch-perfect Edina-style “sweetie, darling”.

She has appeared on stage and screen, working with the likes of Nigel Havers, Freddie Starr and Brian Conley, and entertained British troops in Belize and the Falklands.

Her West End credits include Victoria Wood’s much-loved comedy Acorn Antiques The Musical, in which she understudied Julie Walters and Celia Imrie, and played their respective roles of Mrs Overall and Miss Babs.

This spring, Hilary is stepping into Vera Duckworth’s shoes in Street Of Dreams, the new stage musical of Coronation Street.

“It’s going to be a blast,” she says. “I’ve been watching archive footage of Vera. The cast includes Paul O’Grady, Kevin Kennedy and Julie Goodyear. There’s a great buzz around it.”

Hilary’s career has taken her to Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, Sri Lanka, and across Europe. When she’s not treading the boards on dry land, she’s a headline act, with a ten-piece orchestra, on cruise liners around the world.

“I have a lot of fridge magnets,” she grins. “Working on cruise ships really brings it home how much audiences still love variety.”

It’s a shame the TV schedulers don’t seem to share the same view. Hilary has no time for the reality TV route to fame.

“In the past, I’ve worked in pantos with people like gymnasts, The World’s Strongest Man and Gladiators.

“There tends to be this misguided idea that anyone can do panto, but if you can’t cut it, it shows. There’s no hiding place,” she says.

“I’m passionate about keeping the art of panto alive – it’s a skill in itself. You need to know what you’re doing and you need to get it right, particularly for children who are our future audiences.”

She adds: “I love working with Billy, he’s a fabulous performer with incredible energy. This is a spectacular show – it’s like the West End comes to Bradford.”

After Robin Hood ends next month Hilary is planning a break, before rehearsing for Street Of Dreams. The prospect of stepping onto Weatherfield’s cobbles has given her a taste for TV drama.

“I’ve done loads of telly over the years – Celebrity Squares, 3-2-1, you name it – and now I’d love a TV drama,” she says. “A good meaty soap role would suit me fine.”

Robin Hood – The Pantomime Adventure runs at the Alhambra until Sunday, February 5. For tickets, ring (01274) 432000.