A huge name in TV has been announced as the star of this year's Dick Whittington pantomime at Dartford's Orchard Theatre.

EastEnders hearthrob Shane Richie will swap the character of Alfie Moon in Walford pub the Queen Vic for the role of Dick Whittington on the Orchard stage from Saturday, December 12.

Signing up one of TV's most popular actors is a coup for the Orchard, and panto producers Qdos Entertainment are thrilled.

Managing director of Qdos Entertainment, Michael Harrison, said: “Shane is an outstanding comedy actor and we’re absolutely delighted to have his immense talent at the Orchard Theatre this Christmas. Wherever Shane appears in pantomime tickets always sell quickly, so early booking is strongly advised.”

Shane, 51, has recently fronted the brand-new BBC One Saturday evening game show Win Your Wish List and has combined his theatre and television career with film roles that include Porter in a special Channel 4 film version of Macbeth alongside Greta Scacchi; Dead Clean and Distant Shadow.

Shane also featured with Hugh Jackman and Kate Winslet as Sid in the DreamWorks film Flushed Away.

Alongside the TV career, he has enjoyed high-profile stage roles as Danny Zuko in the West End production of Grease, which broke all box office records, and in Boogie Nights The Musical, which he co-wrote and co-produced in the West End and on national tour.

Orchard Theatre director Chris Glover said: “Our panto is now one of the biggest and most popular in the South East, with 95% attendance for the last two years. We are excited that Shane Richie will be joining us this year and are confident that it will become another record-breaking production for Dartford.”

Dick Whittington will run from Saturday, December 12 December 2015 until Sunday, January 3, 2016. Tickets are now on sale from orchardtheatre.co.uk or call 01322 220000.