ENTREPRENEUR and Dragons’ Den judge Duncan Bannatyne was at his fire-breathing best as he took to the stage in a cameo panto appearance last night.

Mr Bannatyne took on the one-off appearance in Jack and the Beanstalk at Darlington Civic Theatre to support local theatre in his hometown.

Bannatyne led the judging panel in the competition to select Sarah Wales, from Newcastle, as the panto’s princess.

Mr Bannatyne appeared as himself, scaring Jack, played by Peter Hillier, from the Boogie Beebies TV programme, as he tries to get into the giant’s castle.

Mr Bannatyne said: “I am really keen to support the arts in Darlington, which is why I agreed to take part in the Search for a Panto Princess and do this cameo appearance.

“When I told my younger children that I might appear in the panto, they were really excited and badgered me to take part. They loved it and joined in with the shouting when I came on stage.”