SWANSEA: City rallies for ‘our Kev’ as fundraiser launched after stroke

Jessica Rice, a close family friend, has set up the fundraiser to help ease financial pressures on Kev and his wife Rosie as he begins his recovery — with more than £2,200 already raised.

Known affectionately as “our Kev”, the much-loved entertainer has been a fixture of Swansea life for decades — from the panto stage at the Grand Theatre to the airwaves and the Swansea City stadium.

Now, the man who has spent a lifetime lifting others is being backed by the community he has given so much to.

In a heartfelt message on the fundraiser page, supporters said: “Kevin Johns MBE has been the heart of Swansea for decades… always showing up, always supporting others, and never asking for anything in return.

“Now, Kev needs us.”

Kev suffered a stroke and now faces a period of recovery where he is unable to work — coming after what friends describe as an already difficult few years.

Throughout it all, his wife Rosie has remained by his side “day and night”, with the fundraiser describing her support as the “true meaning of marriage”.

The page adds: “This fundraiser is our chance to give back to someone who has spent his life giving to others.

“We want Kev back doing what Kev does best — and he absolutely will be — but he needs the space and freedom to heal properly first.”

The appeal has struck a chord with many across Swansea, where Kev’s voice and personality have become part of the city’s identity.

Swansea Bay News previously reported that Kev was recovering after a minor stroke, and has also highlighted his incredible career — including more than 30 years as Swansea’s iconic panto dame and being awarded the Freedom of the City.

Supporters say this latest appeal is a chance for Swansea to “come together for Kev — just as he has always come together for us”.

Donations, big or small, are being welcomed to help Kev and Rosie focus fully on his recovery and return to the stage, the mic and the city he loves.

#ArmedFarcesStadio #Panto

Caesar:
Where's Brutus?

Senators:
He's behind you!

#HeilSleazer

#ArmedFarcesStadio #Panto

Keir: This is a Democracy.

Andy: Oh, no it isn't!

Keir: I shall not dignify that remark with a ...

Andy: This is why no one likes you, Keith.

Cannot find a quick clip of "Oh,no it isn't!" which is not on Faecesbuch.

What has our once proud nation become? Does Magna Carta mean nothing to you?! Brave little girl who died so that the boozers could stay open on a Sunday.

#Panto #ArmedFarcesStadio

WIZARDS OF CLYDACH: Councillors step into limelight to save village panto after community council axe

Matthew Bailey, Gordon Walker, and Brigitte Rowlands, who all represent the Clydach ward as independent councillors, will revive the once-popular show this weekend. And two of them—Councillors Bailey and Walker—will go one step further and star in it!

Councillor Walker has taken the courageous step of agreeing to play the lion, while Councillor Bailey showed some brains by playing the scarecrow.

A Community Tradition Under Threat

Clydach, in the lower Swansea Valley, enjoyed a run of sold-out pantos between 2016 and 2024 before the community council, unfortunately, decided to bring the curtain down for good.

The amateur productions, staged in the village’s community hall and played out by people from the village, were always well attended, bringing the community together. They were quite the family affairs, with the scripts written by former journalist Geraint Thomas, his one-time West End actress sister Bethan Cunningham directing, and their mother Beryl Thomas making the costumes.

Now the show returns—thanks to the councillors’ support—with The Wizard of Oz!

‘We’re Not in Clydach Anymore’

Packed with local references, including “I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Clydach anymore” and the famous yellow brick road hit by potholes and a 20mph speed limit, it promises to be one of the best yet.

The show opens on Friday (February 20) evening, with two performances on Saturday, including a matinee, and an evening performance on Sunday. Tickets for the matinee and Sunday are being offered free for local community groups.

The rest of the cast is made up of Euan Renesto, Hayley Davies-Jones, Gemma Lawerence, Ian Whitehurst, Ellie McGuire, and Milly Cunningham—all with Clydach connections.

‘Hundreds Have Asked What’s Happening’

As a former chair of Clydach Community Council, Councillor Bailey has been involved from the start.

Councillor Matthew Bailey said:

“For over seven years, since 2016, we’ve been proud to bring a traditional community pantomime to Clydach. In a time when many families have to travel to large theatres and pay large prices for festive entertainment, we were incredibly lucky to have something special right here in our village. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the current community council decided that it wasn’t something they wanted to continue. So, we stepped in.”

He added:

“We have been approached by so many people, asking what’s happening to the pantomime, literally hundreds have asked. This year, me, Brigitte and Gordon got together and said, ‘Why don’t we use some of our community budget to help pay for it?’ The tickets sales don’t always cover the full cost, so we agreed to cover any shortfall.”

‘She Laughed from Start to Finish’

Councillor Bailey was keen to praise his fellow cast members and those behind the scenes, recalling a particularly poignant moment from a previous production.

Councillor Bailey said:

“We’ll never forget the three sisters who came along one year and sat together at the back. After the show, they told us one of them had terminal cancer—and she had laughed from start to finish. Moments like that remind us exactly why we do this.”

Councillor Gordon Walker said:

“The village has lost quite a lot over the past few years, due to one reason or another, and the panto has always been popular and brought the community together—even if they do laugh at me on stage making a fool of myself! I give the script writer, Geraint, nightmares forgetting his lines but that just adds to the fun—he even writes jokes in about me not being able to act or learn my lines!”

Councillor Brigitte Rowlands said:

“It’s of huge community benefit. It’s very good for people’s wellbeing and nice for people to get out, enjoy and have a bit of a laugh. It’s nice to see locals involved in it, someone local has written it—it’s just an all-round local event for the community.”

She is not tempted to tread the boards with her colleagues, however. “I think Broadway is waiting for them!” she joked.

How to Get Tickets

Tickets are still available from Clydach Pantomime – The Wizard Of Oz on Eventbrite. Tickets for the Saturday afternoon and Sunday evening performances are being offered to local clubs and groups for free—just get in touch with Matthew, Brigitte, or Gordon.