THE recent story of Amy Winehouse turning up drunk at her latest gig abroad reminds me of the time I answered a Press appeal for a pianist to keep Pickering’s panto together.

We had finished the Saturday matinee of the 15-day run when I asked if I could nip to a pub to see the footie scores.

The funny guy from the cast was worried I would get stoned and not be available for the evening performance.

But there is so little pressure in doing a panto compared with a major singing tour abroad.

I spent most of 15 days laughing at the jokes. But poor old Amy faces a lot more pressure.

Allan Denney, Catesby House, Holgate Road, York.