EASTENDERS king rat Alex Ferns gets the official role of King Rat in Chatham Central Theatre's new panto. Producers are delighted that the soap star nasty, who has won awards for his portrayal of wife-beating Trevor Morgan, will star in Dick Whittington.

He has signed to appear in the panto but was unable to be at the launch at the Guild-hall, Rochester, with former Hi-de-hi actor Paul Shane (Sarah the Cook) real-life redcoat Paul Birling (Idle Jack) and Page Three model Zoe McConnell (Fairy Bowbells).

Pupils from Gordon Junior School, Strood, showed them masks of cats and rats they had made. The actors went on to Strood Sports Centre to reopen the refurbished reception area.

*The production will run from December 10 to January 5 at The Central Theatre, in High Street, Chatham. Call 01634 338338 for tickets.