TV STAR Jim Davidson arrived at Sunderland's Empire Theatre yesterday to declare panto war on rival productions.

The four-times married comic, 47, was keen to promote his company's £800,000 version of Peter Pan.

But all eyes were on Jane Hardy, of Cramlington, Northumberland, who he introduced as "more than just good friends".

Miss Hardy said: "We first met about ten years ago when I was a personal assistant to a Newcastle agent."

Mr Davidson, who received an OBE last week, announced panto prices of £5 to £16.50, which would be "cheaper than Newcastle Theatre Royal".

Brian Blessed will play Captain Hook, and Middlesbrough-born children's presenter Kirsten O'Brien is Peter Pan.

"We couldn't afford Brian Blessed normally, if he asked for what he's getting to make the new Star Wars film. But he loves this show, and it's been designed around him," said Davidson, who signed the deal with new Sunderland Empire bosses SFX, before staging his one-man show last night.

The venue's general manager Debbie Garrick has signed a one-year deal with Jim Davidson Productions, with the London comic promising to change the theatre's panto image "from Swindon Town to Manchester United".

Mr Davidson will star in Dick Whittington at Southampton, while somehow managing to do three stand-up shows, record BBC's Big Break and The Generation Game, and make another forces Homeward Bound Christmas Show for TV.