He's been a fixture of the county's biggest panto every Christmas for more than a decade but a Kent actor is to move to a different theatre this festive season.

Panto star Lloyd Hollett will join the cast of Sleeping Beauty at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley after more than 10 years appearing in the Marlowe Theatre's festive shows in Canterbury.

The Thanet-based actor had become a well known fixture of the show, produced by Evolution Productions, working as something of a double act alongside Canterbury actor Ben Roddy as the dame.

Lloyd, who will play Beauty’s hapless friend Muddles in the show at Bromley, said: "After what has been a worrying year of uncertainty I'm creatively very excited to be a part of this particular production.

"It's always sad stepping away from a venue that I've been a part of for many years. Of course I will miss it but here's to another chapter."

He has also previously worked with Bonnie Langford, who recently reached the final of the Masked Dancer as Squirrel, and who will play the Good Fairy, and said he was looking forward to working with her again.

Theatre director Chris Glover said: “We are thrilled that pantomime will be returning to Bromley this December. The team at the theatre are very excited to be working on what will be a fantastic production of Sleeping Beauty, after being closed to the public last Christmas. We cannot wait to welcome this all-star cast.”

Bonnie first came to public attention at six when she won the talent show Opportunity Knocks. Since then, she has worked on TV, the big screen and in the West End and Broadway, appearing in Doctor Who, EastEnders and Dancing on Ice as well as theatre shows including Cats, Chicago, Guys and Dolls and 9 to 5.

The cast also features musical theatre and Holby City star Lee Mead as the Prince and Britain’s Got Talent semi finalist Myra DuBois in the show by Crossroads Pantomimes at the theatre which will reopen to audiences on Sunday, August 15.

Tickets for the show from Saturday, December 4 to Sunday, January 2, 2022, are available at churchilltheatre.co.uk.

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