Photos: Inside THE UK PANTOMIME AWARDS 2026

On Sunday 19 April, the winners of The Pantomime Awards 2026, staged in partnership with Trafalgar Entertainment and ATG Entertainment (ATGE), were announced by the UK Pantomime Association at a star-studded ceremony at Wycombe Swan in High Wycombe, presented by Vernon Kay. Check out photos of th event.

The Special Recognition Awards, which celebrate productions and individuals representing the values that the Association seeks to promote, were presented to:

• Terry Parsons who received the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Pantomime. Terry is a designer whose imaginative and iconic work, from Cinderella with Stanley Baxter to Mother Goose with Danny La Rue and Dick Whittington with Barbara Windsor, has shaped the look, spirit and craft of British pantomime for more than fifty years. 

• The first ever Panto Icon Awards were presented to Brian Conley, whose tireless energy, definitive Buttons performances and unrivalled connection with audiences have made him one of the most recognisable figures in the form and Lesley Joseph, celebrated for her star presence and for consistently delighting audiences as a leading Fairy and Villain across the UK’s major pantomime stages. This category was introduced this year to recognise the sustained commitment to the artform, mastery of its unique craft, recognition and affection from audiences, and a consistently high standard of performance over many years.

• Johnny McKnight, who received the award for Achievement in Innovation, and whose brilliance as a writer, director and performer over more than twenty years has joyfully transformed pantomime through groundbreaking productions, bold inclusivity and creative courage.

• Keith Simmons, who received the Nigel Ellacott Special Recognition Award for Pantomime History, Tradition and Heritage. Keith is a leading performer, writer and director who has helped shape, preserve and pass on the traditions of British pantomime for more than fifty years. 

Anita Harris, President of the UK Pantomime Association, said: “I am delighted to join in celebrating this year’s nominees and winners at The Pantomime Awards 2026, whose talent and dedication shines through. It is a privilege to honour those who bring magic to audiences across the UK. I am especially thrilled to see my dear friend Terry Parsons recognised with the Outstanding Achievement Award. I have had the joy of working alongside Terry for decades and have been blessed with him designing my principal boy costumes for Dick, Jack, Aladdin and Robinson Crusoe and many more. His extraordinary imagination and artistry have helped define the very heart of pantomime as we know it. As we mark the fifth anniversary of The Pantomime Awards, it is wonderful to reflect on how they have grown into such a meaningful celebration of our unique and beloved artform. My warmest congratulations to all those recognised this year."This year’s Awards marked the second year of the sponsorship partnership with Trafalgar Entertainment and ATG Entertainment (ATGE).

Chris McGuigan, Group Commercial Director for Trafalgar Entertainment, said: “Congratulations to all the winners and nominees at this year’s Panto Awards. Trafalgar is proud to co-sponsor this gloriously glittery evening as part of our ongoing commitment to pantomime as a genre. The 'joyful chaos' of panto season is a vital component of the regional theatre sector - and so it’s wonderful to celebrate it alongside many of the talented artists, acts, entertainers, writers, creatives, tech teams and producers who make it all happen.  We’ve loved hosting this year’s event at Wycombe Swan!”

Claire Dixon, Business Director for ATG Entertainment, said: “It’s been another fantastic year co-sponsoring the Pantomime Awards, and on behalf of ATG Entertainment I’d like to extend our warmest congratulations to all the nominees and winners. These awards shine a light on the vital role pantomime continues to play in the UK’s cultural landscape, and we are proud to support and celebrate the extraordinary creativity, talent and dedication that goes into bringing this beloved artform to life.’’ 

The Awards ceremony featured special guest performances from some of pantomime’s biggest stars, alongside other exceptional talent from across the industry including the stand-up comedian Steve Royle, pantomime Dame Michael J Bachelor and singer and actress Wendi Harriott, as well as performers from Milton Keynes based Arts1 theatre school.

Founded in 2021, the UK Pantomime Association (UKPA) is a charity that explores, shares and celebrates pantomime by investigating the genre’s rich past, engaging with contemporary practice and inspiring the future. During the 2025-26 pantomime season, the fifth year in which the Awards have taken place, The Pantomime Awards’ 64 Judges collectively visited 234 venues to see over 603 performances, far and wide across the UK.

The nominees exemplify the breadth of talent, skill, enthusiasm and hard work from the creative forces, production teams and cast members who work tirelessly year-round to deliver outstanding entertainment to theatres across the country. For more details, visit the UK Pantomime Association website: www.pantomimeassociation.co.uk.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

Claire Cassidy – Sleeping Beauty, Harlow Playhouse (KD Theatre Productions)

BEST LIGHTING

Nic Farman – Sleeping Beauty, Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells (Little Wolf Entertainment)

CARMEN SILVERA AWARD FOR BEST MAGICAL BEING

Joe McElderry – Aladdin, Newcastle Theatre Royal (Crossroads Pantomimes)

Barbara Windsor AWARD FOR BEST PRINCIPAL LEAD

Sario Solomon – Aladdin, Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield (Evolution Productions and Sheffield Theatres)

BEST SCRIPT

Andrew Pollard – Beauty and the Beast, Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield (In-House)

BEST SECONDARY LEAD

Ruth Betteridge – Jack and the Beanstalk, Festival Theatre, Malvern (UK Productions)

BEST VILLAIN

Nigel Harman – Jack and the Beanstalk, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre (UK Productions)

BEST COMIC

Jez Edwards – Sleeping Beauty, Carriageworks Theatre, Leeds (Paul Holman Associates)

BEST COSTUMES

James MacIver – Sleeping Beauty, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (Belgrade Theatre and Imagine Theatre)

Stanley Baxter AWARD FOR BEST DAME

Allan Stewart – Jack and the Beanstalk, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh (Crossroads Pantomimes)

BEST DIRECTION

Gary Wilmot – Cinderella, Richmond Theatre, London (Crossroads Pantomimes)

BEST ENSEMBLE

Lianha Cooke, Gemma Davis, Chloe Davies, Olly Gooch, Thomas Marc Toombs, Richard Womersley, Erin Harrison and Finlay Tozer – Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne (Made to Measure Productions)

BEST CONTRIBUTION TO MUSIC

James Harrison – Aladdin, Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield (Evolution Productions and Sheffield Theatres)

BEST SET

Kenny Miller – Gallus in Weegieland, Tron Theatre, Glasgow (In-House)

BEST SISTERS

Hannah Roberts and Fran Cottington (Han and Fran) – Cinderella, Venue Cymru, Llandudno (Imagine Theatre)

BEST SOUND

Conrad Kemp – Dick Whittington, St Helens Theatre Royal (Regal Entertainment)

BEST SUPPORTING ARTIST

Ada Campe – Growled: Beauty and the Beast continues…, Royal Vauxhall Tavern, London (In-House)

BEST NEWCOMER TO PANTOMIME

Jeevan Braich – Cinderella, Norwich Theatre Royal (In-House)

BEST NEWCOMER TO INDUSTRY

Caitlin O’Shea – Sleeping Beauty, Central Theatre, Chatham (Jordan Productions)

BEST PANTOMIME (UNDER 550 SEATS)

Weans in the Wood, Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling (In-House)

BEST PANTOMIME (550 TO 950 SEATS)

Sleeping Beauty, The Arts Theatre Cambridge (In-House)

BEST PANTOMIME (OVER 950 SEATS)

Sleeping Beauty, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (In-House)

SPECIAL AWARDS

PANTO ICON

Lesley Joseph

PANTO ICON

Brian Conley

ACHIEVEMENT IN INNOVATION

Johnny McKnight

NIGEL ELLACOTT SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD FOR PANTOMIME HISTORY, TRADITION AND HERITAGE

Keith Simmons

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN PANTOMIME

Terry Parsons

Photo Credit: Andrew Billington/Ian Olsson