Former EastEnders star Emma Barton will be swapping the West End for the Central Theatre stage this Christmas.

The actress, who played Honey Mitchell in the BBC1 soap, will join the cast of this year’s pantomime at the Chatham venue, Jack and the Beanstalk.

Emma, who filmed her last scenes in Albert Square in 2008, will appear as Fairy Sugarsnap alongside Britain’s Got Talent finalist Paul Burling and Cbeebies’ Phil Gallagher.

Emma, who is currently playing Roxie Hart in the West End musical Chicago, said she is thrilled to be taking on the role.

She added: "I can’t wait to start."