Christopher Biggins is planning to quit pantomime next year.
The 67-year-old actor kick-started his budding career on stage in 1965 – playing Rat in ‘Dick Whittington’ at Wiltshire’s Salisbury Playhouse – but he has revealed his final curtain call will come in 2017 following four decades in the industry.
He told The Sun newspaper: "Last year was so exhausting. I’m going to have a sabbatical this year, then I’m going to go back and finish the year after. That’s going to be my last one."
The funnyman, known for his contagious laughter and catchphrase "naughty naughty", has been dedicated to writing, acting and directing theatre performances for many years – having only missed one Christmas panto because of his gig on ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here’ in 2007, which ultimately led to him being crowned King of the Jungle.
But despite his plans to hang up his extravagant costumes next year, Christopher is adamant he won’t be retiring from the glamorous world of showbiz for good as he’s set to appear on numerous TV panel shows in the coming years.
Meanwhile, life on stage isn’t the only thing Christopher is planning to give up as he recently admitted he’s been told to ditch the booze after learning he had suffered liver damage.
He said recently: "I was drinking two bottles of wine four or five nights a week. That’s easy when you’re out and there are trays of red and white.
"But the doctor turned to me and said do you want to die in your own bed in old age, or do you want to die in a hospital bed dribbling a whole lot sooner?"
Christopher Biggins to quit pantomime
