Albert Square drama queen and reality TV star Lucy Benjamin will ensure pantomime goers "shall go to the ball" this Christmas.

It's a little early for Yule-tide plans but Summer Solstice is behind us and it has been revealed that Lucy Benjamin will star in the The Central Theatre, Chatham pantomime.

She will play the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella from December 12 until January 5.

The good fairy is a world away from Ms Benjamin's most famous character Lisa from EastEnders.

In 1998 she came onto our screens and hooked up with resident hard man, Phil Mitchell.

She was one of eight suspects in the Who Shot Phil storyline in 2001 and an estimated 22 million viewers tuned in to find out it was Lisa that had fired the shot.

She left the show in 2002 when her character managed to escape prison and jetted off to Portugal with baby Louise Mitchell.

Since then she's been in numerous TV dramas and won reality show The X Factor: Battle of the Stars and in 2009 and did a stint in the Australian jungle to compete in I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here.

She's been in multiple stage shows and cannot wait to perform in The Central Theatre as part of the Jordan Productions pantomime.

EastEnders fans will be delighted to read Lucy will be back this autumn for an explosive story line leading up to Christmas.

Last year Ray Quinn starred at Dick Whittington in the annual show.

Ms Benjamin said: "I’m looking forward to be heading to Chatham to spend the festive period making Cinderella’s dreams come true as her Fairy Godmother.

"I can’t wait to spread some panto magic and sparkle.”

More casting announcements will come soon.

Click here to buy tickets online or call the box office on 01634 338338.

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