JOHNNY Mac is relaxing in a Glasgow hotel bar with a coffee. But it’s hard not to take your eyes off his shirt.

It’s not a regular shirt, it’ a big, puffed -sleeved blouson, the sort you’d expect Treasure Island pirates to wear, or perhaps a New Romantic back in the olden days of the eighties.

What? Johnny may be a comedy star, a modern-day variety act, one half of Francie and Josie remembered (with Liam Dolan playing Francie) but he’s from Kilmarnock for goodness sake.

Has showbiz gone to his head, allowing him to think he can dress as an 18th century dandy?

Thankfully, he isn’t wearing this white number out of fashion preference, or a desire to be noticed out there in Argyle Street.

“It’s part of my panto costume,” he says, grinning. “I’ve just been having publicity photos taken and haven’t had time to change.”

Ah, thank goodness. Yet, at the same time, he could be forgiven for becoming a little flamboyant and self-regarding.

Johny Mac has now established himself as one of Scotland’s top panto stars having stormed the SEC in recent years.

Right now he’s in rehearsals for Aladdin, playing Wishee Washee, the consummate fool alongside Elaine C.Smith.

And Smith only suffers brilliant fools.

“It’s incredible to be working with Elaine,” says Johnny.

Aladdin is the panto he’s appeared in most.

“I love the story. It’s so strong and well known. What you have to bring to it is new comedy routines.

“And of course there is a magic carpet, which will be quite incredible.”

Johnny Mac has arrived at the King’s via the hard work route. The one-time school class clown made his way into the business via Butlins, where he worked as a Red Coat.

He developed his skills as an impressionist and comedian on cruise liners.

More recently, he worked the summer season in Great Yarmouth, for the ninth year.

Johnny, who lives in Charing Cross, survived 113 shows in seven weeks. And learned from every one of them.

“I didn’t have a single day off,” he says, delighted at his own staying power.

How did that fit in with married life? (Johnny married girlfriend Steph Fulton last year at the Seamill Hydro.) Thankfully, Steph appears in the same show.

“She’s a dancer, but she has a background in gymnastics, and she does silks as well.”

He adds; “And because we’re in different disciplines we’re never on stage together. That helps. And we’ve always got something to talk about.

The couple met in panto – where else?

“It was in Peter Pan at the Pavilion, when I was playing Peter Pan,” he recalls, the delight in his voice evident.

Johnny’s entertainment career is going great guns.

“I’m so lucky to have the summer season work, then into the Francie and Josie (sell out shows).

“There’s something magical about Rikki and Jack which is etched into people’s memories. And the routines are timeless.”

Johnny and Liam were teenagers when they decided to perform the tribute show for the first time.

“I was just 17 at the time when we wrote to Rikki Fulton and he gave us permission to perform as Francie and Josie, on the basis we stick to the original material.

“We left these one-off tributes for years but then Mary Lee, Jack’s widow, saw us perform it and came backstage to see us.

“It was Mary who said we should be performing everywhere. She gave us her blessing and that’s when we decided to tour with it.”

Johnny met Jack Milroy over the years. “But although I was an extra on Rab C. Nesbitt at the time Rikki was on the show I never got to speak to him. I’d have loved to have met him.”

The pair will rest Francie and Josie next year. “We’re thinking of a Rikki Fulton and Jack Milroy play,” he says. “It would be great to explore a part of their lives together.

“And when you think of the pressure Rikki and Jack were under, given their massive following, it could make for a great story.”

Johnny adds; “And I love the idea of looking inside the lives of great performers. For example, the Laurel and Hardy movie is coming out soon, and that should be great.”

Meantime, Johnny reveals there has been a recent addition to the family.

He grins: “We’ve got a Shitzu puppy, Betsy. She was in the dressing room while we were on stage in Great Yarmouth. And for the first few days I would come back to a wee present but after that it was all right.”

There’s a slight sense Johnny and Steph are a little smitten with Betsy.

“She has her own Instagram account,” he says of BetsyMac, as if that’s the most normal thing in the world.

Any more family additions planned?

“Lets’ hope so,” he says, smiling. “You start with a Tamagotchi. Then a dog. And if that works out okay you move on to a child.”

• Aladdin also stars Paul James Corrigan. The King’s Theatre, December 1 – January 6.

Brian Beacom

JOHNNY Mac is relaxing in a Glasgow hotel bar with a coffee. But it’s hard not to take your eyes off his shirt.

It’s not a regular shirt, it’ a big, puffed -sleeved blouson, the sort you’d expect Treasure Island pirates to wear, or perhaps a New Romantic back in the olden days of the eighties.

What? Johnny may be a comedy star, a modern-day variety act, one half of Francie and Josie remembered (with Liam Dolan playing Francie) but he’s from Kilmarnock for goodness sake.

Has showbiz gone to his head, allowing him to think he can dress as an 18th century dandy?

Thankfully, he isn’t wearing this white number out of fashion preference, or a desire to be noticed out there in Argyle Street.

“It’s part of my panto costume,” he says, grinning. “I’ve just been having publicity photos taken and haven’t had time to change.”

Ah, thank goodness. Yet, at the same time, he could be forgiven for becoming a little flamboyant and self-regarding.

Johny Mac has now established himself as one of Scotland’s top panto stars having stormed the SEC in recent years.

Right now he’s in rehearsals for Aladdin, playing Wishee Washee, the consummate fool alongside Elaine C.Smith.

And Smith only suffers brilliant fools.

“It’s incredible to be working with Elaine,” says Johnny.

Aladdin is the panto he’s appeared in most.

“I love the story. It’s so strong and well known. What you have to bring to it is new comedy routines.

“And of course there is a magic carpet, which will be quite incredible.”

Johnny Mac has arrived at the King’s via the hard work route. The one-time school class clown made his way into the business via Butlins, where he worked as a Red Coat.

He developed his skills as an impressionist and comedian on cruise liners.

More recently, he worked the summer season in Great Yarmouth, for the ninth year.

Johnny, who lives in Charing Cross, survived 113 shows in seven weeks. And learned from every one of them.

“I didn’t have a single day off,” he says, delighted at his own staying power.

How did that fit in with married life? (Johnny married girlfriend Steph Fulton last year at the Seamill Hydro.) Thankfully, Steph appears in the same show.

“She’s a dancer, but she has a background in gymnastics, and she does silks as well.”

He adds; “And because we’re in different disciplines we’re never on stage together. That helps. And we’ve always got something to talk about.

The couple met in panto – where else?

“It was in Peter Pan at the Pavilion, when I was playing Peter Pan,” he recalls, the delight in his voice evident.

Johnny’s entertainment career is going great guns.

“I’m so lucky to have the summer season work, then into the Francie and Josie (sell out shows).

“There’s something magical about Rikki and Jack which is etched into people’s memories. And the routines are timeless.”

Johnny and Liam were teenagers when they decided to perform the tribute show for the first time.

“I was just 17 at the time when we wrote to Rikki Fulton and he gave us permission to perform as Francie and Josie, on the basis we stick to the original material.

“We left these one-off tributes for years but then Mary Lee, Jack’s widow, saw us perform it and came backstage to see us.

“It was Mary who said we should be performing everywhere. She gave us her blessing and that’s when we decided to tour with it.”

Johnny met Jack Milroy over the years. “But although I was an extra on Rab C. Nesbitt at the time Rikki was on the show I never got to speak to him. I’d have loved to have met him.”

The pair will rest Francie and Josie next year. “We’re thinking of a Rikki Fulton and Jack Milroy play,” he says. “It would be great to explore a part of their lives together.

“And when you think of the pressure Rikki and Jack were under, given their massive following, it could make for a great story.”

Johnny adds; “And I love the idea of looking inside the lives of great performers. For example, the Laurel and Hardy movie is coming out soon, and that should be great.”

Meantime, Johnny reveals there has been a recent addition to the family.

He grins: “We’ve got a Shitzu puppy, Betsy. She was in the dressing room while we were on stage in Great Yarmouth. And for the first few days I would come back to a wee present but after that it was all right.”

There’s a slight sense Johnny and Steph are a little smitten with Betsy.

“She has her own Instagram account,” he says of BetsyMac, as if that’s the most normal thing in the world.

Any more family additions planned?

“Lets’ hope so,” he says, smiling. “You start with a Tamagotchi. Then a dog. And if that works out okay you move on to a child.”

• Aladdin also stars Paul James Corrigan. The King’s Theatre, December 1 – January 6.