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From the left, Deborah, Neil and Maureen share a joke with Norman.

From a report by Margaret Wright:
A behind-the-scenes chat with the midget man with the mighty sense of humour - Norman wisdom - was the experience of a lifetime for three Burnley children on Wednesday, 5th January 1972. All winners of the Burnley Express "Spot the Difference" competition, the children had watched Norman perform his antics in the panto, "Robinson Crusoe," at the Empire Theatre, Liverpool. Afterwards, as a further part of the bumper prize they were taken backstage for more fun and laughter as they met the star himself. The children, accompanied by their mothers, were Deborah Carter (8), of Prestwich Street; Maureen Skidmore (11) of Leamington Avenue, and Neil Ryding (11) of Ivan Street. Their exciting day began when they left Burnley by coach at midday, and arrived at the theatre for the matinee performance.

The star himself, playing the part of Robinson's brother, Norman Crusoe, and ably accompanied by Robinson, the villain, Will Atkins, Polly Perkins, and his mother Mrs Martha Crusoe, sang, danced and joked his way through the show. All three of the children enjoyed the panto. It had been the first visit to a panto for them, and they took with them a lot of happy memories as they headed sleepily for home.