I have already used musicians to record the music digitally and I am paying them to sit at home

Jim Davidson

Paul McKenna, of the Musicians' Union, said the artists were going to picket some of the shows, when the pantomime opens on 14 December for five weeks.

He explained the artists would have to find new work and it was a tradition that musicians were used at the pantomime and not recordings.

However, Mr Davidson said his show was a "hi-tech heavy rock synthesised show" that could not be reproduced by a "trumpet in a pit".

"This is my show. It will break even at �600,000 - it's an expensive show," he said.

"I have already used musicians to record the music digitally and I am paying them to sit at home.

"I have my musicians and I don't want any more."

He added he sympathised with the musicians and offered an alternative.

"If these musicians stop moaning and give me a call, I could find them work somewhere else," Mr Davidson added.