While the final curtain has fallen on another pantomime season, the financial rewards for top celebrities can echo long into the new year. New details have emerged revealing the staggering six-figure sums commanded by famous faces for just a few weeks of festive fun on stage.
The Panto Payday Kings and Queens
Topping the lucrative list is a star who took a break this Christmas but whose earning power remains unmatched. This Morning presenter Alison Hammond reportedly secured a whopping £195,000 for her role as the Magic Mermaid in Birmingham's production of Peter Pan across the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Despite not performing in 2026, her fee is yet to be surpassed by any other panto performer.
Hot on her heels are two Radio 2 stars. Scott Mills, a panto regular who played Mayor Mills in Jack and the Beanstalk this year, and Vernon Kay, who starred in Aladdin last Christmas, are both said to earn £190,000 per seasonal stint. Close behind them is panto institution Christopher Biggins, who is believed to rake in around £180,000 annually from his performances, this year playing King Richard in Robin Hood at the Birmingham Hippodrome.
Six-Figure Fees for Stage Veterans and Newcomers
A cluster of well-known names command fees in the region of £120,000. This group includes The Chase host Bradley Walsh, a panto veteran often seen in roles like Buttons in Cinderella. Comedian Catherine Tate made her panto debut this year in Sleeping Beauty at The London Palladium for a similar sum, as did veteran entertainer Brian Conley in Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
Proving that panto paydays aren't just for established legends, Britain's Got Talent winner Sydnie Christmas reportedly earned £80,000 for her debut last year in Dartford's Sleeping Beauty. Meanwhile, TV stalwart Nigel Havers marked his tenth consecutive panto year in the same Palladium production as Catherine Tate.
Digital Appearances and Seasonal Flexibility
The list also highlights the evolving nature of panto engagements. Katie Price, who has appeared in both Easter and Christmas productions, is said to earn up to £50,000 per appearance. This year, she featured in a pre-filmed, 'digital' role as the Spirit of the Mirror in a Darlington production of Snow White, demonstrating that a physical stage presence every night is no longer a necessity for a festive pay cheque.
The figures reveal that pantomime remains a serious and highly profitable business for the UK's entertainment industry, offering stars a significant financial boost during the festive period and beyond.
