Comic Dave Lee returned to the Marlowe Theatre to fulfil a long-standing wish.

The comedian, who is not able to appear in this year’s pantomime due to ill-health, was presented with a dressing room door plaque to commemorate his 1,000th performance at the theatre in January 2009.

He safely kept the plaque during the theatre’s redevelopment and vowed to put it back on his dressing room door when the building reopened.

The visit was his first look around the theatre and the chance for him to catch up with Cinderella cast members and theatre staff.

He said: “I do miss not being in pantomime, especially this one as it is the first in the new theatre and a really fantastic show, but I’m glad to be back and to be able to see my dressing room.

"The whole theatre is sensational, really impressive.”

Marlowe Theatre director Mark Everett said: “It was a big loss not having Dave in the pantomime this year of all years, but – as he would be the first to point out – the show must go on and we are just glad to see him today.

"He is part of the Marlowe family and everyone knows him – he is one of us.”