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Close friend Gavin Mitchell will take Kelly's part

Just two weeks after their friend and colleague Gerard Kelly died suddenly of an aneurism, and two days after his funeral, rehearsals for the show got under way this morning.

Kelly's role of Muddles - the panto clown - will now be taken on by his close friend Gavin Mitchell, who was already cast as the Wicked Queen.

"I am still devastated by the death of Kelly, who was not only a colleague but a dear friend and I feel honoured to be able to do this," he said today.

"In some way it allows me to pay personal tribute to him and on a stage that was in many ways his spiritual home.

"I realise his Doc Martens are massive boots to fill and I only hope I can do him proud.

"Kelly was one of the last remaining true performers of Scottish Variety and I am determined to use everything that I have learnt from him; he was a truly gifted master.

"I just hope he will be watching over us all with a great big grin."

The role of the Wicked Queen will now be played by Barbara Rafferty, who returns to the King's panto for the first time in almost a decade.

Barbara said: "Kelly and I worked together on so many occasions, whether it was panto, theatre, TV or radio, I just adored sharing a stage with him.

"When I was asked to come back to the King's for Snow White my first thought was that it felt right; to be back on the stage that Kelly loved and to help retain the standards of the traditional panto that he had worked tirelessly to maintain both for the theatre and the people of Glasgow.

"It is a real privilege to be asked. Gerard Kelly is truly irreplaceable, a wonderful friend and he is greatly missed."

The theatre is also leading plans for a tribute to Kelly, which is likely to take place in February next year, after the pantomime run is over.