Gyles Brandreth has called for cancelled Christmas pantomimes to be rescheduled for Easter.
The 72-year-old actor believes the idea could help struggling theatres hit by a massive loss of income due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Gyles – who previously starred in a pantomime production of ‘Cinderella’ with Dame Barbara Windsor and Bonnie Langford – told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "The panto season is when most theatres are full and make most of their money.
"If they definitely can’t happen at Christmas, why not postpone them until Easter? In the 19th century pantomimes were often produced at Easter."
Panto producer Paul Hendy revealed that the idea has been considered but warned it would be difficult to stage a production if no vaccine for the disease had been found.
He explained: "It’s an idea we thought of and discussed. It’s the same problem.
"With social-distancing in place, and without a vaccine, it’s very difficult to do a large-scale pantomime. The same logistics apply for Easter as Christmas.
"If things look better by January, we will explore it. But you probably wouldn’t be able to do as long a run as you would at Christmas."
The TV star claims the pandemic will have "won" if pantomimes are cancelled this Christmas.
Gyles explained: "Christmas is panto time and if panto goes, it’s game over. We can throw in the towel: the pandemic will have won. A British Christmas isn’t Christmas without a Christmas pantomime."
He added: "It’s the one form of family entertainment that brings everyone together. It’s exactly what our nation needs now."