PANTO fans queued for more than four hours today to get their hands on tickets for York Theatre Royal's renowned Christmas production, as the show's star remained in hospital.

More than 100 people queued outside the Theatre Royal, with the first outside the doors at 4.20am.

Veteran pantomime dame Berwick Kaler, 58, was said to be in a "comfortable" condition after spending another night in York Hospital, where he has undergone tests. He was due to be discharged from hospital today.

Mr Kaler was taken ill on Tuesday following the opening night of his new play, Hobson's Choice, which is his first serious role at York Theatre Royal for nearly 20 years.

The production was postponed on Wednesday but resumed last night, with director Gregory Floy playing Mr Kaler's part until further notice.

Madge Lister, from near Boroughbridge, said she had been queuing for tickets every year for the past decade.

She said: "I do it as a treat for the grandchildren before they go back to school. It's just a lovely, traditional pantomime."

Theatre spokeswoman Anna Mitchelson said they hoped Mr Kaler would be back on stage by Monday.

Mr Kaler has become one of York's best loved stage figures after performing in the Theatre Royal panto season for the last 26 years.

Updated: 10:29 Friday, April 01, 2005