The Christmas panto is a time-honoured tradition, as is TV stars moonlighting as Dr Hook and Peter Pan. But who is doing which panto THIS year? Find out here...
Panto season is coming… Oh, yes it is!
With less than six months to go until Christmas, pantomimes all over the country are gearing up for the season. Whether you love them or loathe them, the humble panto is a long-held tradition for families and celebrities alike .
So, which of our favourite TV stars will be dressing in drag, encouraging heckling and bringing cheesy festive cheer this year?
It’s ‘Hofficial’, David Hasselhoff will tread the boards in the role of Captain Hook for Peter Pan in Cardiff. The Hoff will be joined Mike Doyle as Mrs Smee.
From Albert Square to Sherwood Forest, Shane Richie and Jessie Wallace will don the tights and bring their double act to Southampton's Mayflower Theatre’s Robin Hood.
Strictly Come Dancing’s very own Mr Nasty will play Captain Hook once again, this time in Bromley's Churchill Theatre. Familiar with the boos that accompany his comments, the dancing judge should feel right at home as this panto villain.
Although it’s been a couple of years since The X Factor’s Joe McElderry released any music, he has been busy in various West End shows. He makes a return to panto this year with former Strictly favourite Lisa Riley, in Aladdin at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.
Following in the paw prints of past Britain’s Got Talent winners Ashley and Pudsey, 2016 champ Lance Corporal Richard Jones is already appearing in panto! The military magician will take on the role of Merlin the Wizard in Sleeping Beauty at the Swansea Grand.
When you hear Ibiza Weekender and Ex on The Beach, you don’t necessarily think ‘wholesome family entertainment’. So Jordan Davies may be one of the more surprising additions to the panto scene this year, in Aladdin at Liverpool's Epstein Theatre.
John Barrowman may as well join The Krankies permanently, as this Christmas will mark the sixth time the trio have panto-ed out the festive season together. West-End star Jodie Prenger and Phil Mitchell himself, Steve McFadden, will also appear in Dick Whittington at the Birmingham Hippodrome.
Having played The Prince or Prince Charming in a few pantos, Gareth Gates must have the role down by now. This year he is joined by May McFettridge, one of Northern Ireland’s best Dames, at Belfast's Grand Opera House.
Rab C Nesbit’s Elaine C Smith will be joined once again by Alan McHugh and Jordan Young as they bring the Scottish Dick McWhittington to the panto stage at Aberdeen's His Majesty's Theatre this year.
Pantomimes are a great place to find singers, actors, comedians and television personalities – at Bradford's Alhambra Theatre this year, you can find them all in one show. Panto veteran Billy Pearce, Emmerdale’s Charlie Hardwick and S Club’s Jon Lee join Darren Day, as Hook, in Neverland for Peter Pan.
