Spend an evening with these well-loved celebrities in Ilkley!

Friday, 28 February 2025 06:00

Gordon Buchanan: Lions and Tigers and Bears is at the King's Hall in March

From wildlife photographer Gordon Buchanan and national treasure Su Pollard, to gardening guru Adam Frost, music icon Paul Young and cricket legend Jonathan Agnew, there’s something for everyone to enjoy over the coming months at the King's Hall, Ilkley.

Award winning wildlife photographer and filmmaker Gordon Buchanan is coming to Ilkley on Monday 17 March as part of his biggest ever live tour - Lions and Tigers and Bears.

During this fascinating evening Gordon will recount thrilling encounters with pandas, grizzlies, tigers, jaguars and more. Audiences will hear about the heart-stopping moments, the mud, sweat, and tears, and the tender interactions that have shaped his extraordinary career.

Gordon Buchanan has dedicated his life to exploring the untamed beauty of the natural world, from the bamboo forests of China to the snowy landscapes of Russia, from the towering Himalayas to the depths of the Amazon. His mission: to capture the majestic big cats and bears on film and reveal their secrets to a global audience. This show has sold out, call the box office for returned tickets.

For 50 years the legendary Su Pollard has delighted audiences, starring in the nation’s best-known TV shows and on stages around the globe in some of the world’s most-loved musicals. Now Su is on tour and bringing her new one-woman show Still Fully Charged to King’s Hall, Ilkley on Wednesday 19 March.

From humble beginnings on TV’s Opportunity Knocks (where she came second to a singing dog), through her years as Maplin’s chalet maid Peggy in the hit BBC TV series Hi-de-Hi!, to her West End and national touring roles in Godspell, Annie and Little Shop of Horrors, and her more recent TV appearances on Celebrity Masterchef, Gimme Gimme Gimme and Would I Lie To You?- it’s been an action-packed half-century of sheer entertainment.

During this wonderful evening Su will share with audiences the amazing characters she has been fortunate enough to play, the incredible friends and colleagues she met along the way, and the staggering range of music she has performed and recorded throughout her illustrious career. Su Pollard will be accompanied live on stage by her musical director Steven Edis.

Award-winning British garden designer and BBC Gardeners’ World presenter, Adam Frost, is leaving the garden and heading back to Ilkley on Tuesday 8 April.

In his most personal show to date, Adam will discuss the plants that have shaped his life and reflect on what’s brought him to where he is now. He’ll unearth the inspiration he’s found through a life in the garden, the people he’s met along the way, the music that’s steered his course and why he identifies as an ‘old romantic fool’.

Adam will share previously untold stories of how his passion for plants has taken him around the world and challenged him with unexpected experiences – from curating a garden in Japan during a monsoon to meeting heroes.

Closer to home, gardening is fundamental to Adam’s sense of family, wellbeing and recovery. He’ll talk about navigating change and reconnecting with nature. He will also explore the creative act of putting a garden together and how he’s had to learn to embrace his artistic side.

Paul Young broke into the big time when No Parlez went to number one, this led to further hits including Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home). More success followed with the number one album The Secret Of Association and the worldwide hit Everytime You Go Away, not forgetting an appearance at Live Aid and more.

At King’s Hall on Saturday 19 April, Paul Young will be looking back over his incredible 40-year career, combining conversation with acoustic versions of his well-loved hits. Audiences are invited to revel in the classic hits and learn the stories behind them in this intimate show.

Cricket legend and renowned BBC correspondent, Jonathan Agnew is coming to town on Wednesday 30 April with his solo show – An Evening with Aggers.

From his early days learning the ropes under the guidance of the legendary Brian Johnston to rising above the infamous "leg over" incident, Aggers has cemented his status as one of the most esteemed commentators and interviewers in the cricket world.

With his masterful on-air prowess seamlessly translating to the stage, Aggers has shared the spotlight with a lineup of cricketing greats, including the indomitable Sir Geoffrey Boycott, the spin maestro Graeme Swann, the Little Master himself Sunil Gavaskar, the enigmatic bad boy Phil Tufnell, and the wonderfully eccentric David 'Bumble' Lloyd.

During this wonderful evening Aggers will regale audiences with stories from his illustrious career both on and off the field. There will also be exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, in this electrifying blend of sporting highlights, uproarious anecdotes, and side-splitting humour.

To book for any of these events, call the Box Office on 01274 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk.

More from Local news

Airedale NHS microbiology staff announce December strike

Microbiology workers at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust have announced plans to take industrial action later this month, citing concerns about pay and working conditions.
Classic Victorian thriller next at Ilkley Playhouse

Classic Victorian thriller Gaslight opens in the Wharfeside Theatre at Ilkley Playhouse on 15th January, Caroline Mutton previews this and more highlights for the start of 2026.
Review: Ilkley Concert Club, James Newby & Jong Sun Woo at King's Hall

Geoffrey Mogridge reviews Ilkley Concert Club, James Newby & Jong Sun Woo, King’s Hall, Ilkley, Wednesday, 10th December 2025.
Ilkley's Christmas church advent and carol services

As we prepare for Christmas all the churches in Ilkley have been busy with carol and advent services.
Community group praises council’s swift response to moor fly-tipping

Last week a serious case of fly-tipping was reported along Moor Road by the Cow & Calf. Items included building materials, bath, toilet and cabinets.
Ilkley charity brings community Christmas cheer

Over 100 local residents enjoyed an early Christmas treat when volunteers from Ilkley Good Neighbours, accompanied by 6th-form students from Ilkley Grammar School, delivered gifts to their homes.
Frantic bidding war for Burley-In-Wharfedale auction property

A three-bedroom terraced house in Burley-in-Wharfedale has been sold using Dacre, Son & Hartley’s auction service and generated a vast amount of interest with dozens of viewings and 131 bids.
Success again for local nursery

Esscroft Private Nursery in Burley-in-Wharfedale has been named Nursery of the Year at the prestigious Yorkshire Prestige Awards 2025/26, winning the coveted Legacy Award.
Route Revealed for Rudolph's Tractor Run this Sunday

Rudolph's Run is coming back on Sunday 21st December, with over 200 decorated tractors set to light up the streets of Yorkshire's villages and towns and the route has been revealed.
10 week A65 roadworks for essential drainage works start January

Developers of the new housing project on Skipton Road in Ilkley say essential drainage infrastructure works will mean a lane closure of the A65 for approximately 10 weeks.
Join Ilkley Civic Society for its Christmas walk

Ilkley Civic Society is inviting walkers to a ‘Find Your Way around Ben Rhydding’ heritage walk on Saturday 27 December from 11am.
Local charity refocuses its mission as demand for children’s mental health support surges

Local children’s charity, The Principle Trust Children’s Charity, has announced a strategic refocusing of its work to place greater emphasis on supporting children experiencing mental health challenges, as concerns continue to grow across the region.
Airedale emergency department 'exceptionally busy' with flu cases rising

Airedale Hospital says its Emergency Department is exceptionally busy and staff are having to prioritise the sickest patients.
The Box Tree recognised as one of the best restaurants in Leeds

The Box Tree restaurant in Ilkley is celebrating after being included in The Telegraph’s list of the 21 best restaurants in Leeds.
Swing into Christmas promises an evening of festive favourites

It’s full steam ahead for The Northern Swing Orchestra as they prepare for their forthcoming festive concert ‘Swing into Christmas’, on stage at The Kings Hall in Ilkley on Friday 19 December 2025.
Local dads raise £11,892 to support Airedale Hospital and Community Charity

Will Schaffer, Sam Prus, Martyn Stocker, Joe Smith, and Dan Chadwick - all from Ilkley - took on the 82-mile Dales Way walk with a goal to complete the challenge in under 36 hours.
Second leg of 'magical' Santa tour starts on Friday

The Ilkley & District Round Table is celebrating a hugely successful start to this year’s Santa Float with hundreds of families stepping outside to greet Santa and support local causes in Addingham, Valley Drive and Ilkley Town Centre.
Yorkshire Water finally lifts five-month hosepipe ban

Yorkshire Water has lifted its hosepipe ban today (Wednesday), bringing an end to restrictions that have affected more than five million people since July.
Don't blame wildlife for £11.7m Kex Gill overspend, say Green councillors

Financial mismanagement rather than a requirement to protect wildlife caused an £11.7m overspend on a major road building scheme, opposition councillors claim.
Wanted on suspicion of theft offences locally including Ilkley

Police are appealing for information to help locate Richard Thompson who is wanted on suspicion of theft offences.