Sam does Stamford... and Pantos on Strike with the Pineson!

1st stop - Kriss place. Lovely lunch in Stamford, back to her house to meet her two boys. They were such lovely lads... a credit to you hun x

Had a fab dinner, some vino and decided to head over to the mess with some of the girls for a couple of cheeky ones. In true PV Crew style, we managed to watch Take That on Children in Need, even got some of the blokes to turn the sound UP!!
Back to Kriss gaff with the girls for some more bevvies, shots and a sing song on the Wii. After the girls went home, Kriss and I re-watched CIN, and also Look Back Dont Stare and had a right good catch up. Was a fab night!
Next morning, was treated to a lovely brekkie before heading to Peterborough station to catch the chuff chuff to Manchester.

Arrived in Manchester where Paula was already in the station in the bar and had a drink on order for me - thanks hun! Just what I needed!

After grabbing a few snacks, and a Subway we get the metrolink across town to the hotel. Holiday Inn (Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn!) on the Quays; lovely hotel with great staff. Loved the upgrade to the Exec level and a comfy room awaited us!
Getting our gladrags on, frocks and all, we decide to have a pint whilst getting ready... checking my facebook I spot a couple of messages from JK and it turns out he is going to Pantos on Strike too.
Head into Manchester, waiting for a taxi we get bored and blag a lift with some other hotel guests... well we were missing out on serious drinking time! Upon arrival in the City, we head over to the Grapes which is a pub round the corner from the theatre (handy) and its owned by Vera from Corrie...!! Bump into JK here and he joins us for a quick drink before heading up to the theatre. We are in the Circle, but near the front of it with a great view. JK down in the Stalls on the opposite side of the theatre. We try and wave but fail miserably lol!
Bag a program and settle down for what has to be the funniest 2 hours I have ever seen. With slap-stick humour and an adult theme, Pantos on Strike was the biggest laugh out loud fest of the year! no wonder Rob went to see it himself!! The story is set in panto-land and Jonny being the king of panto has to rescue the Princess from Evil King Foo (say it backwards lol)
Paddy and Jonny played both their parts so well and worked really well together. The final scene being Paddy and Jonny getting the crowd to sing "Is this the Way to Amarillo" and "Angels" (its too early for Angels!!)  Hilarious!

After the show, we head around to the Stage Door, there are a couple of paps there but Paula and I are not deterred. The lovely Coleen Nolan pops out with her hubby Ray (who was in the band) and stops for a few pics and chats away... she was so lovely and was great as the Fairy Godmother!
A couple of the other stars come out and then out pops Jonny Wilkes and Paddy McGuinness.
Jonny looks a little tired and is quiter than normal (I later find out he was a bit poorly) but still stops to sign my programme and pose for a few pics! Paddy a proper Bolton lad has a chat and a giggle with us both.

JK times it perfectly and appears just as the cameras are out, and Jonny has a chat with him about Stoke! As Paddy gets into his car and Jonny heads off up the street, we decide to head back to the Grapes where we see Coleen and Ray and some of the cast. JK spots Coleen and having sang with JK she invites us over as soon as she spots him. She was a lady... friendly and good for a laugh! Even taking time to have a chat with Paula's mum on the phone! Happy days! Paula and I laugh at meeting Jonny again - hes a lovely bloke and his voice is fantastic.. he doesnt get the kudos he deserves thats a dead cert.

Had a bit of a catch up with JK too which was nice! He's in great form and finds out all the Crew gossip since we saw him in June!
After the Grapes, we head on to another bar where vodka and classic choons are in full flow... heading back to the hotel for some pink fizz, a kebab and a natter about chatting to Coleen, the midget lap-dancer from the show, and the King of Panto that is Jonny Wilkes... lots of laughs revisiting all the laughs we had earlier before heading to bed at 4am-ish. What a great night!!!