A panto cast surprised patients at a hospice by gate-crashing an exercise class.

The cast of Aladdin, which is on at The Woodville this year, burst in on ellenor hospice patients at a seated exercise livestream at Manor Hotel in Gravesend. Some services are taking place there while building work takes place at the hospice.

The performers sang Jingle Bells to the patients, before chatting to them over tea and biscuits.

The patients get together every week to keep themselves in shape, have fun and catch up with each other – and they loved the surprise.

The hospice decided to surprise them to "get their hearts racing in a different way."

This year's cast includes TOWIE’s James ‘ARG’ Argent as The Chief of Police, Rob Cummings as Dame Widow Twankey, The Man They Call G as Abanazar and Georgia Rowland-Elliott as Princess Jasmine.

It is on at The Woodville from December 2 to January 1.

Andy Lowden, ellenor’s operational wellbeing lead, said: "During the festive season, a visit to the pantomime is something that many of us take for granted but at ellenor we understand the positive impact a magical experience such as the pantomime can have on the wellbeing of our patients, which is why opportunities like this are so important.

"Many of our patients live with conditions such as Motor Neurone Disease or Muscular Dystrophy and as a result are unable to go to the theatre because of their conditions. It can severely affect their mobility.

"We try to do as much as we can to make sure Christmas continues to be a special occasion for the patients we care for, and their families, and having The Woodville recognise this and have the Aladdin panto cast come to ellenor patients is just the kind of gesture that makes all the difference to people’s lives and gives them some Christmas cheer.

"Thank you to the cast of Aladdin for coming along and spreading some festive cheer."