BILLY Pearce has flown into Bradford, via Old Peking, for his 20th Alhambra pantomime.

Bradford’s favourite funnyman stars as Wishee Washee in Aladdin, alongside Christopher Biggins as Widow Twankey and Blue singer Simon Webbe in the title role.

Yorkshire’s biggest pantomime, featuring state-of-the-art special effects and 3D fun, opens at the Alhambra today and runs until Sunday, January 20.

"The Alhambra is my favourite place,” said Billy. “I have speakers in my dressing-room so I can hear the audience filling the seats, getting excited. That’s what panto means to me.”

In Alhambra over the years Billy has done everything from soaring over the audience in a flying car to sword-fighting. His stunts have left him with injuries including a cracked rib while attached to a flying harness and a broken collar bone, after falling into the orchestra pit.

Christopher Biggins said the Alhambra panto is the best in the county. "This theatre is the home of panto. It's going to be a lot of fun this year," he smiled.