Jonathan Wilkes, and his wife Nikki, were at the theatre to take questions from cast members of the Summer Youth Project (SYP) production of the Wizard of Oz.

Jonathan, who has recently returned from LA after being best man for Robbie Williams, said he had enjoyed giving the young hopefuls advice on how to break into the business.

“This project is great – they’ve got 11 days from start to finish to put a show together and that’s real pressure,” he said.

“They were all very interested in how I started out. I asked them all how many of them wanted to be in the business and every single one put their hand up.

“It’s a simple thing and it’s about working hard. There’s no point hiding it – it is tough but there are lots of different ways in.”

Swindon-born Nikki, who recently set up the Wilkes Academy in Swindon, said: “They were lovely – I love working with children and giving them advice.

“There is some amazingly talented children in Swindon and I have no doubt we will be watching them on stage for sure. You can always work if you want to and if you are passionate.

“They could come back to Swindon and become dance teachers – we need more of them.”

Gary Rains, 17, who will play the General in this year’s production, said: “It was really good – they were really down to earth and spoke to us on a level. It was interesting to hear from a professional point of view.

“It was basically the ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ and about having the right attitude because some people have the wrong attitude.”

Jonathan, who has had a varied career in show business including a stint presenting You’ve Been Framed, said Robbie’s wedding to Ayda Fields was brilliant.

“It was great – a lovely wedding and I’ve never seen a mate looking so happy,” he said.

The Wizard of Oz runs from next Thursday until August 29, tickets start at £10.

Jonathan will be taking to the stage with students from the Wilkes Academy on September 26, tickets cost £15.
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The Lance Corporal - awarded the military's highest honour for twice rescuing comrades under fire in Iraq - is now ready for a new challenge.

Getting his skates on ... Robbie Wiliams' pal Jonathan Wilkes
Getting his skates on ... Robbie Wiliams' pal Jonathan Wilkes

He cannot return to full active service as the rescue left him with shrapnel in his brain.

But he is bravely practising ice dance routines with the show's trainers to see how he copes.

ITV chiefs want to broaden the appeal of the show, which has relied on ex-soap stars.

Several celebs are being tried out, including Robbie Williams' best pal Jonathan Wilkes, 31.

An insider said: "Johnson would be an exciting addition and bring a new dimension to the refreshed show.

"The fact he is already highly regarded by the public helps. He is a very determined character.

"He's training despite being in pain from his injuries.

"If he copes well then he is a cert to appear in the final 12 in January."

On the show, won last year by ex-Emmerdale star Hayley Tamaddon and skate partner Daniel Whiston, both 33, Johnson would be coached by Olympic skate legends Torvill and Dean.

He would also have to wear the famously sparkly tight-fitting costumes - and put up with catty judge Jason Gardiner.

Johnson, 30, from Grenada but now living in Camberwell, South London, has endured stress-related problems since returning from Iraq in 2004.

He still suffers nightmares and mood swings.

He tried to commit suicide in 2008 by driving his car into a lamppost at 100mph. He escaped serious injury.

Johnson, the first to get a VC in 20 years when awarded the gong in 2005, refused to shake Gordon Brown's hand in April.

The soldier said the now ex-PM "disrespected" the Armed Forces.
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Wilkes, the grandmaster of Potteries panto, is back for a sixth successive year in Robinson Crusoe And The Caribbean Pirates.

The 32-year-old has been responsible for box office records being smashed right, left and centre since his first appearance in Mother Goose in 2005.

And he’s hoping for a similar response from audiences this time around.

“It’s difficult times for everyone at the moment,” he says. “Money’s tight. But at the Regent the thing we keep going with is to give the audience a good show. We want to make sure you get value for money because that’s what it’s all about.”

It’s been a frantic few weeks for Wilkes. He only had a couple of weeks to perfect the Regent Theatre production, having just completed a month-long run at the Manchester Opera House with his own panto spoof show Panto’s On Strike.

He says: “Panto’s On Strike was an idea I had about four years ago. It was my baby I suppose so I had a lot riding on it, but it couldn’t have gone better.

“It’s an original story where all the characters are on strike and how it’s changed them.

“It’s not all smutty as people seem to think, it keeps the integrity of panto which is really important and I really didn’t want to lose that.”

And he’s hoping that Robinson Crusoe will have retained the same core values he holds so dear.

“It’s more of an adventure than panto, but it’s got lots of slapstick and comedy and a nice story,” he says.

“It’s like Pirates Of The Caribbean with big ships and a big production, it’s almost like a good musical but retaining those panto elements.

“Robinson is a big adventurer and the town of ‘Stokey’ is waiting for him to come back. He finds a treasure map and decides to go on one more voyage because he wants to be rich and marry Polly.”

While Wilkes thinks he’s found a winning formula to apply each year, there will be one significant change this year.

Christian Patterson, who brought the house down in the past three Regent Theatre pantos, is not returning this year due to commitments as Mr Bumble in the West End production of Oliver!.

Between them, Wilkes and Patterson developed an almost psychic bond for comedy, but he insists standards won’t drop.

He says: “Christian left such a great mark on the theatre and the panto in Hanley. He’s a big miss both on and off the stage.

“But we’ve got a great dame in Arthur (Bostrom) who’s been doing it for years so he’ll be fine.

“We’ve got a lovely cast. Jennifer (Ellison) is great and the whole lot of them are hard working and full of energy.”

Best friend Robbie Williams is back in these parts following his reunion with Take That, and made an appearance to see his pal in action in Panto’s On Strike.

But can we expect him to drop by in his hometown for a night of family fun?

“You never know with Robbie,” says Wilkes. “He can pop up at any point. With him being back in the country and around these parts I wouldn’t rule it out.”

Robinson Crusoe And The Caribbean Pirates runs until January 9. Tickets prices range from £15.75-£28. To book, telephone the box office on 0844 871 7627 or visit www.ambassadortickets.com/Regent-Theatre.
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