Popular Herne comedian Dave Lee will not be appearing in this year's Marlowe Theatre pantomime.

It was announced today that, due to ill-health, Dave has decided to pull out from the production of Cinderella - what would have been his 16th Marlowe Theatre pantomime role.

Cinderella will be the first pantomime staged at Canterbury's Marlowe Theatre since it recently re-opened after a £25 million rebuild.

It is running from December 2 to January 22, and the cast will include EastEnders star John Partridge as Prince Charming and Britain's Got More Talent presenter Stephen Mulhern as Buttons.

Marlowe Theatre director Mark Everett said: “It is testament to Dave’s professionalism that he desperately wanted to fulfil his commitments to The Marlowe and his many fans by taking part in Cinderella but he made the decision that some 90 shows would be too much for him at this time.”