OH YES HE IS!
Comic John to star in this year’s panto
IT may be over five months away but preparations are well in hand for this year’s pantomime which will be taking place at Derby Arena from December 9 to December 31.
Tickets are already on sale and all that remains is to announce the star of this year’s production.
Cold Feet star John Thomson will play arch villain Abanazar, alongside award-winning perennial dame Morgan Brind.
Best known for playing Pete Gifford in the hit ITV comedy, John is also well-known for his role as Bush Baby in series two of The Masked Singer and his antics in 90s comedy show The Fast Show along with voicing a number of characters in Spitting Image.
He also recently finished shooting a guest lead in series two of ITV’S Professor T, opposite Ben Miller and said: “I’m very excited to bring my own brand of panto magic, playing the baddie Abanazar in Aladdin this Christmas – as well as getting to know the locals, the city and perfecting my Derby accent.”
Comedian, writer, narrator and actor John is a former resident of the cobbles when he starred as Jesse Chadwick in Coronation Street between 2008 and 2010. He is also the voice behind TV fan favourites Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners, Police Interceptors and Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun.
As a long-time collaborator with Steve Coogan, John has appeared in Knowing Me, Knowing you, 24 Hour Party People, Northern Soul and Alan Partridge’s Scissored Isle amongst others. He has also featured in films such as Sky’s Last Train to Christmas and The Brother’s Grimsby alongside Sacha Baron Cohen and Rebel Wilson.
Tickets for Aladdin are on sale now with prices ranging from £18 – £30 depending on the performance. Concessions are available along with BSL, relaxed, audio described and captioned performances. Tickets can be purchased on the Derby LIVE website, at the sales and information centre, Riverside Chambers, Full Street or by calling 01332 255 800.