If you were a child of the 60s or 70s, Spit the Dog will have been very much part of your Saturday mornings.

Along with his sidekick, comedian Bob Carolgees, they were an essential part of Tiswas, the riotous children’s TV show.

For Bob, getting back on stage with his expectorating dog is a joy – though he’ll never admit whether Spit has had to be altered or, god forbid, replaced, over the years.

The pair come to panto in a festive stage comeback which Bob, who had been running a successful candle business in Cheshire until two years ago, is openly delighted with.

“I was asked to do panto in Hull with Christopher Biggins four years ago,” he said. “I have known Christopher Biggins for years and it was a great show. I couldn’t believe how much I’d missed panto.

“When I first went back into panto I was worried that the children wouldn’t know who I was – I hadn’t been on the telly for years properly. But it made no difference at all – every laugh was the same and it was just fabulous. You have got to make it relevant to what’s happening today, so there’s no point in bringing up things from the 70s.”

One thing from the 70s, however, which will be brought up, is his canine pal – if you believe Bob. “Of course he’s the original and everyone knows he’s real,” he says. “There is only one Spit the Dog.”

He is prepared to admit that his role as the henchman may be a stretch for him, as he can be mild-mannered.

“I have never played a baddie before, but mine is quite a nice henchman. Hopefully I won’t get booed too much! I find it very difficult to be a real baddie because it isn’t in my character. The best baddie I have ever worked with in panto is Derek Griffiths – the kids absolutely hated him.”

Pantos across Kent this Christmas

THE SHOW

CBBC presenter Ed Petrie stars alongside Bob Carolgees and his sidekick Spit the Dog in the Stag Theatre’s panto, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Joining them will be Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Danny Beard and West End star Keith Jack.

Ed, who appeared in Aladdin last year at the theatre, has been among the CBBC presenting team since 2007 with sidekick Oucho T Cactus, and will play Muddles this year.

Danny Beard made an impression on Simon Cowell and the judges of Britain’s Got Talent, reaching the live semi-finals last year, and plays the Magical Mirror, while Keith Jack shot to fame on the BBC’s Any Dream Will Do, and plays the Prince.

Stag panto regular Jasette Amos returns for her fifth year, playing the Wicked Queen.
The show runs at the Stag Theatre, Sevenoaks, from Friday, December 1 to Sunday, January 7. For tickets from £14, visit sevenoakspanto.com.