WHAT does a former wild woman of rock do to see in the New Year? Snort cocaine off the torso of a male stripper, perhaps? Or get high on cocktails and crash her Cadillac into a swimming pool?

Neither. She comes up to York to take in the panto.

Suzi Quatro, a legend in her own leathers, revealed her party plans to listeners to Radio 2 show Rockin' With Suzi Q.

After playing The Orioles' 1949 hit What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? the Can The Can songstress said: "And that's a good question - what do I do? I usually take my annual trip up to York to see my best friend Berwick Kaler in his 25-year-long run of pantomime. Oh yes I do!

And then - I nurse a hangover."

Suzi, whose hits also included Devil Gate Drive, has long been buddies with Berwick and has made regular trips to the city to visit him.

Such is the unpredictability of the grand dame, he may even involve her in the performance.

In 2001, Berwick left audiences gasping during his star turn as grand dame Fanny Shufflebottom in that year's panto, Jack And The Beanstalk.

At York's Theatre Royal - by correctly guessing the first name of someone in the audience.

He had a bit of an advantage though - because the woman concerned was Suzi.

She fell prey to one of his little japes when he pledged that he could guess the names of audience members.

After three efforts went woefully wide of the mark, he picked out the rock star, successfully suggested her name, and pointed her out to the crowd.

In 2002, Suzi made a special visit to York to congratulate Berwick after he received his honorary degree from the University of York.

The star flew in from Germany to celebrate the event after he asked her to come as his special guest.

Another time, a few years back, he didn't take her round the Minster or to a fancy restaurant. Not till he'd been round B&Q first.

The Diary is intrigued to know what Berwick has in store for his great pal this time round. If anyone finds out, e-mail us at diary@ycp.co.uk