HE IS Scotland’s fastest-rising young performer, he’s already a wrestling phenomenon, a River City success story and a comedy act.

Now, Grado is about to become Glasgow’s next panto star.

Ayrshire-born Grado, who has also featured in BBC Scotland’s Scot Squad, will join the line-up of this year’s Pavilion panto, which includes River City's Stephen Purdon.

Pavilion boss Iain Gordon revealed Grado, real name Graeme Stevely, will be one of the stars of this year’s production, Elfie’s Magical Adventures.

“Grado has real comedy talent and I think he’ll make a great addition to our production,” he said of the wrestler who has switched effortlessly from the ring to become a performer in the mould of variety stars of yesteryear.

“He is incredibly popular, particularly with young people, and we’re going to come up with a role which suits his talent and his personality.”

The Pavilion boss added: “We’ve been thinking about a name for him in the show, which is a re-telling of Jack and the Beanstalk, but with a Christmas twist.

“We’ve decided his character will be called Grado, and it makes sense because Graeme has already created this terrific stage persona.”

Not surprisingly, Grado will play to his wrestling strengths.

“He’ll be the boy who gets picked on by the baddies.

"But in the second half we’ll get to see what happens when he decides to have some fun.”

Grado can barely contain his excitement at having landed his first panto role.

"I'm chokin' to get on that stage," he said, beaming with delight.

* Grado's story is told in full on pages 16 and 17.