Pantomime season is drawing to a close, bringing an end to a period of high earnings for celebrities who can command substantial fees for their short stints on stage during the festive season.
Leading the pack in the pantomime rich list this year is Alison Hammond, known for her role as a presenter on This Morning. Despite taking a break this year, she reportedly pocketed an impressive £195,000 for her portrayal of Magic Mermaid in Birmingham’s production of Peter Pan in 2024 and 2025.
Scott Mills, a popular Radio 2 personality, secured the second spot on the list with earnings of £190,000 per panto engagement. He reprised his role as Mayor Mills in Jack and the Beanstalk, a character he has portrayed at various venues, including Swansea and the Wycombe Swan in Buckinghamshire.
Vernon Kay, another Radio 2 star, matched Scott’s earnings with a reported fee of £190,000 for his role in Aladdin at the Wycombe Swan. Meanwhile, veteran panto performer Christopher Biggins, known for his roles as a panto dame, rakes in £180,000 annually from his panto appearances.
Bradley Walsh, the host of The Chase, follows closely behind with a reported fee of £120,000 per performance, often taking on beloved roles like Buttons in Cinderella and Mr Smee in Peter Pan.
Comedian Catherine Tate joined the ranks, earning around £120,000 for her 60-show run at The London Palladium, where she portrayed the Wicked Fairy in Sleeping Beauty. Brian Conley, another seasoned panto performer, also fetched a similar fee for his role in a circus-themed production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Milton Keynes Theatre.
Newcomer Sydnie Christmas, winner of Britain’s Got Talent, made a splash in her panto debut as Fairy Christmas, earning a reported £80,000 for her performance in Sleeping Beauty in Dartford.
Nigel Havers, a TV legend, marked his 10th consecutive year in panto in 2025/26, appearing alongside Catherine Tate in Sleeping Beauty at The London Palladium. Katie Price, a versatile performer, is said to earn up to £50,000 per appearance, even making digital appearances in productions like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
As the curtain falls on another pantomime season, these celebrities continue to captivate audiences and command impressive fees for their festive performances.