HIPPODROME bosses must have thought all their Christmasses had come at once when this year's panto star Joe Pasquale was named TV's King of the Jungle.

Jack Trot has certainly hit the jackpot in terms of ticket sales and, the good news is, folks, he's worth every penny.

The key to any good panto is a central, experienced performer that most of the action revolves around, rather than a handful of so-called stars, and squeaky-voiced Pasquale certainly fits the bill.

Adults laughed at his risque jokes and kids loved his slapstick antics.

There were heaps of jungle references, of course, including threats to "let Paul Burrell do the cooking" and Natalie Appleton's hysterical reaction to touching a tree.

Pasquale shared hilarious scenes with old mate Don McLean, a Hippo panto regular, and Charlie Cairoli (who played King Crumble) while EastEnders actress Letitia Dean (Princess Apricot) and Veronica Hart (Fairy) added a touch of glamour. Holby City actor Jason Pethers was suitably swarthy as cloak-swishing villain Fleshcreep and Malcolm Stent deserves a mention for his Brummie chicken impression, which had me in stitches.

The two-hour show hurtles along at a thunderous pace and features an enjoyable mix of old and new songs, including Emma Bunton's Maybe and Eurovision winner Love Shine A Light.

My favourite moment, however, was when Jack has steered the giant's golf buggy around a virtual reality version of Birmingham, taking in the canals at Brindleyplace, city centre tunnels, a big dipper and, bizarrely, the Small Heath branch of Asda.

There's the traditional audience participation spot before the grand finale when all the cast put their best togs on and try and skip down a flight of stairs without tripping over.

Jack and the Beanstalk runs until January 30. If you've got any money left after Christmas, it's a great afternoon/night out. TP