EastEnders legend and X Factor star arrive in Newcastle for star-studded panto launch

With us now into October, Christmas isn't too far away and, as well as visits to see Santa, a trip to Fenwick's Window and a bite of a Greggs Festive Bake, a must for many Geordie families over the festive period is going to see a pantomime. And the cast of Aladdin at the Tyne Theatre were in town on Newcastle for the show's star-studded press launch.

Luckily for any pantomime fans in the North East, the region has loads to pick from every year, whether it be at the Theatre Royal, the Playhouse in Whitley Bay, Sunderland Empire or many others. Last year the Tyne Theatre cast delighted with Cinderella, as famous faces including BGT legends Twist & Pulse and Maureen Nolan dazzled audiences and producers Enchanted have recruited more celebs to join the panto fun this time round.

Having been in fine form the Genie at the Tyne Theatre back in 2019, X Factor finalist Marcus Collins is back on Westgate Road this Christmas to reprise the role and he is joined in the cast by a familiar face from soap past, ex EastEnders heartthrob Michael Greco, famous for being Albert Square resident Beppe Di Marco.

Audiences are sure to be over the moon that local panto legends Charlie Richmond and Lewis Denny are once again back in the folds this year and, in keeping with the theatre's usual tradition of having a local actress play the lead, this year the Princess Jasmine is being played by Sophie Mordey.

Aladdin is on at the Tyne Theatre from December 4-January 3 and ChronicleLive headed down on Friday to meet the cast and get photos of them in action. Get excited for panto season by having a look through our gallery of shots below...

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