Edinburgh panto legend Allan Stewart calls time on his Big Big Variety Show

The comedian and impressionist, who boasts a wide and varied career on TV and stage, will return to the King’s next month for a week-long season of the hit music hall-style show.

Announcing his decision exclusively to the Evening News he said, “We’ve had a great run and the audiences demand more and more, but I have a new and exciting project next year, and of course the King’s will close for redevelopment soon.”

Stewart, who has starred in five comedy series for STV, including The Allan Stewart Tapes, started his career on stage at Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom aged just 10, and shortly after recorded the hit single Brain Beat, produced by George Martin.

His sixth and final Big Big Variety Show will celebrate his 60 years in showbiz - Stewart turns 70 this year - and feature Andy Gray, who returns alongside Grant Stott ready to rekindle the panto chemistry the three have long enjoyed, albeit with a few more jokes just for the adults. Stewart laughs, “The boys are back in town, well I use the term boys loosely.”

Also on the bill are Mari Wilson, the 80’s pop sensation with the sensational beehive hairstyle. Expect to hear the hit Just What I Always Wanted.

All will be backed by the Andy Pickering Orchestra.

Completing the line-up is stand-up comedy legend Mick Miller, whose recent appearance on ITV’s Last Laugh in Vegas earned him a whole new generation of fans. Miller is instantly recognisable from his trademark bald head with long hair down the sides.

Stewart will be especially proud to sing the Jonas Brothers’ new hit single What a Man Gotta Do as part of the show as his son David Stewart co-wrote and co-produced it. He says, “Watching David’s worldwide success with this song has been more exciting than anything I have done in my career.”

Allan Stewart’s last ever Big Big Variety Show will run from 10-14 March at the King’s Theatre.