HAPPY DAYS - WINKLER SLAMS PANTO CRITICS

WINKLER SLAMS PANTO CRITICS

Former HAPPY DAYS star HENRY WINKLER has leaped to the defence of pantomimes, insisting the often-ridiculed festive productions are worthwhile. Winkler, best loved as TV hero THE FONZ, replaces DAVID HASSELHOFF as villainous CAPTAIN HOOK in a London production of PETER PAN this Christmas (06). And despite the suggestion he has been forced to take on the part after his screen career flopped, he insists there's nothing in the world he'd rather be doing. He says, "I am a grateful man that I get to do what I dreamed of doing, everyday. I love my job, I really do. And I don't care what it is. "I was told this afternoon that some people put panto down, and I would imagine those are people who have never tried it or have never done it, you know? "I think there's room for everything. Especially this moment when there is so much tension in the world, you can have a rollicking good time over the holidays." The New Wimbledon Theatre production, which runs from 8 December (06) to 14 January (07), also features British comedian BOBBY DAVRO as SMEE.