The lead singer of 80s sensations Wet Wet Wet is to star in a pantomime at a Kent theatre.

Marti Pellow will play evil sorcerer Abanazar in Aladdin at The Orchard Theatre, Dartford.

The panto begins on Saturday, December 8, at the Home Gardens theatre.

Mr Pellow has appeared in the charts repeatedly over the years both during his time in the band and as a solo artist, including for huge hit Love Is All Around.

The BRIT and Ivor Novello award-winning artist has released over twenty studio albums, including his recent hit album Mysterious.

He has enjoyed over 25 hit singles and continues to sell out with his live concerts and arena shows.

He is back on the road this year with his Private Collection Tour.

Mr Pellow has also starred in numerous high-profile theatre productions in the West End and on Broadway, including Chicago, Blood Brothers and the sold-out, award-winning musical Evita which played at the Orchard Theatre in 2014.

He made his pantomime debut for Qdos Entertainment in the record-breaking 2015 Birmingham Hippodrome production of Aladdin, which he reprised for the past two years.

He has also written his own music for the production.

Aladdin will be produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime producer, and the team behind

Michael Harrison, managing director of Qdos Entertainment, said: “I’m thrilled Marti will be headlining our fantastic

production of Aladdin at the Orchard Theatre this year. Not only does he possess a stunning voice, he is a fantastic

stage performer and one of panto-land’s ultimate baddies.”

Lorna Strawson, theatre director at The Orchard, said “We are thrilled that Marti will be joining us and

starring in Aladdin this year. We are so excited to see what someone of his calibre will bring to the stage, we’re in for

an amazing year in panto-land!”

See Marti Pellow in Aladdin at The Orchard Theatre from Saturday 8 – Sunday 30 December. Tickets available from just £18.