Steve's message by 'Royle' appointment
The Evening Post is going into competition with the Queen.
The British monarch has been giving a Christmas Day message to the Commonwealth for more than 70 years.
Now the LEP's website will feature an alternative seasonal broadcast from award-winning Lancashire comedian Steve Royle.
Family man Steve, who is also an actor, writer, juggler and BBC radio presenter, will present a humorous review of 2006 on video.
There were visits to Lancashire during the year by Her Majesty herself and also by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice whose arrival in the county was strongly opposed by some Muslims in Preston and Blackburn.
Freddie Flintoff's England cricket team and their miserable Ashes campaign inevitably get a mention in Steve's look-back.
And the finger of suspicion is pointed at Leeds United after their Deepdale dressing room was trashed following their 2-0 victory over Preston in the Championship play-off semi-final in May.
Look out also for why a bus company appeared sheepish over a logo, while a council caused a stir with plans to spend 300,000 on a reception area.
Steve, from Chorley, has been a regular television "warm-up" comedian, one of his biggest appearances being at this year's Royal Variety Performance at the London Coliseum.
He played Mad Edgar the court jester at Camelot theme park for more than 12 years and has also supported Peter Kay and Dave Spikey on tour.
He is currently starring in the panto 'Dick Whittington' at Blackpool's Grand Theatre until January 6.
Of his alternative Christmas message, he said: "It's all good fun. Christmas is all about enjoying yourself and I'm just helping to spread the panto spirit."
His 'Royle' broadcast will be available on the LEP website from midnight on Christmas Eve – 15 hours before the Queen's message goes out.
Simon Reynolds, editor and director of Lancashire Evening Post Ltd, said: "It is great that somebody as funny as Steve has agreed to broadcast Lancashire's alternative Christmas message.
"This just goes to prove how we as a news organisation are always trying to push boundaries."
Steve's website can be found at http://www.steveroyle.co.uk/home.html
The 'Queen's Christmas Message' is broadcast on BBC1 (and BBC radio) and ITV at 3pm on Christmas Day. It can be downloaded after 3pm on the royal website (http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page1.asp)
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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