Denise Welch pulls out of Nottingham pantomime due to ill health - as replacement announced

TV personality Denise Welch will no longer be taking part in the upcoming pantomime at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham. This year the theatre is putting on a production of Peter Pan which will star Gok Wan as the Magical Merman, Paul Chuckle as Starkey and Steve Hewlett as Smee.

Denise Welch, best known for being a regular on Loose Women, had been cast as Captain Hook for the pantomime, which will run from Saturday, December 7 until Sunday, January 12, but she is no longer performing due to ill health. An email sent to customers who had purchased a ticket from the theatre states: "We are sorry to announce that Denise Welch will no longer be performing in this year’s pantomime due to ill health.

"We send Denise our warmest wishes, and hope she feels better very soon." TV actor and musical theatre star Richard Windsor, who is originally from Nottinghamshire, will now be playing the role of Captain Hook.

He is best known for his long-running role as Dr Cal Knight in BBC's Casualty.