For the first time in the company's history, five Qdos pantomimes have each already sold more than £1 million of tickets before even opening.

Qdos, which has its headquarters in Queen Margaret's Road, estimates 1.3 million tickets will be sold at 22 theatres over the next three months as pantomime fever sweeps the nation.

A record-breaking number of tickets have also already been sold for Peter Pan at Hull's New Theatre, starring Scarborough's own Ben Ellis along with Paul Nicholas and Keith Harris, with 31,000 tickets sold in advance of Thursday's opening.

Nick Thomas, chairman of Qdos, said: "For the second year running in an uncertain economic climate, sales for our pantomimes have grown.

"I believe this is because a trip to see the annual pantomime is one of the few occasions when the whole family are entertained together, which is the key to its longevity in this digital age."

A host of stars have been lined up to star in the company's 22 pantomimes for the 2009/2010 season including John Barrowman, Craig Revel Horwood, Joe Pasquale, Shane Richie, Ray Quinn and Roxanne Pallett.

Mr Thomas explained the work that goes in to putting on a panto.
He said: "It takes more than 1,000 people, including actors, dancers, musicians and stage staff to bring all 22 Qdos pantomimes to life within the space of 20 days and the logistics are a real challenge.

"More than 50,000 costumes and 80 lorries packed full of scenery have been dispatched from our Scarborough and Beverley sites."

Qdos Entertainment was set up in 1982 and originally named Nick Thomas Enterprises, to produce The Keith Harris Summer Show at Scarborough's Royal Opera House and a pantomime starring Jimmy Cricket in Preston.

The firm moved to its current Queen Margaret's Road headquarters in 1986, and changed its name to Qdos Entertainment in 1999, when it made the first of the eight subsequent business acquisitions. Qdos now employs 70 staff in Scarborough and Beverley and a further 700 at its theatres, restaurants and entertainment agencies.

Since 1982 Qdos has secured many top names for its shows including Ronnie Corbett, Paul O'Grady, Brian Connely, Frank Bruno, Julian Clarey, Rolf Harris, Danny Le Rux, and Cannon and Ball.