PULL apart the crackers and pop open the champagne, because Lily Savage is returning to town in her very first Christmas show which is sure to be a massive festive extravaganza.

Lily's Christmas Cracker has it all - spectacular sets, stunning costumes, major production numbers, sensational scenery, orchestra, dancers, singers and full supporting cast.

The Queen of the Boudoir enjoys Blackpool so much she found it hard to stay away.

"It's a lovely old town - I didn't come here until I was in my twenties and I didn't know what to expect, but I love it," said Lily, or was that Paul O'Grady speaking?

"Friends had this idea that anywhere north of Watford Gap was full of ferrets, but I soon changed the attitude that Blackpool is uncivilised," said Lily.

Despite the fact that her friends don't approve of Blackpool, they soon came to visit when she was performing in her North Pier show this summer.

Lily explained: "They descended on me like a plague of locusts. I'd rented a house so I was forever washing sheets. This time I'm staying in a hotel."

Lily may be singing the praises of the resort, but one thing she won't be doing is going on the new Pleasure Beach ride, saying: "I was too old when I went on the Big One and I won't be going on the new one.

"If I wanted to fall from a great height, I'd jump from a window!"

Although Lily is looking forward to her Christmas show - which also stars Sean Maguire and Gayle Tuesday - she says she hates crackers: "They always seem to be full of cheap whistles and plastic hair slides."

Lily's Christmas Cracker runs from December 20-31.

Tickets range from £10 to £14.50, with reductions available.

For bookings and more information ring 27786 or 292029.

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