BRADFORD pantomime legend Billy Pearce has been honoured with a ‘Pride of Yorkshire’ award.

The much-loved star of the stage was presented with the surprise accolade at Welcome to Yorkshire’s Y18 tourism conference.

Held at the Alhambra Theatre, where Billy has been entertaining crowds for nearly two decades, there couldn’t have been a more fitting way to celebrate.

He said he was “touched” by the gesture.

“I’m very proud, it’s going on the mantle shelf in my snug, right in the middle, and every time I walk past it my heart will skip a beat because I’m so very honoured,” he said. 

“It’s so good to be flattered like that. I’m a proud Yorkshire man, so getting a Pride of Yorkshire Award is such a fantastic thing for me.”

He added: “Over the years, and I’ve been going a long time, Bradford people have always been kind to me before I even came to the Alhambra.

“Bradford has always had the place in my heart and the heart of Bradford and the Bradford people is something that always impresses me.”

Billy said: “Some people that used to come as children now bring their children, it is like a tradition for people to come.

“I have worked in other theatres in other parts of the country and you can’t beat coming here.

“The whole ethos, the theatre itself. 

“Sometimes, when there’s nobody here at all, if I’m early or between shows, I’ll stand on the middle and look at this empty, beautiful place and I can feel it breathing.

“It has a heart itself the theatre, and I love it.”

And speaking about developments in Bradford, he said: “It needs us people, the Bradford people to believe in it and make it happen, which is what’s happening now.”

He received the award as he looks to celebrate his 20th year on stage at the iconic theatre. 

This festive season, Billy will star in Aladdin when the hugely popular pantomime returns to Bradford for another year.