TV star Ben Richards to appear in Nottingham panto

Ben Richards will star in the Beauty and the Beast pantomime. Photo: The Theatre Royal.

Television star Ben Richards will star in a Nottingham pantomime later this year.

Ben, who has appeared in Holby City, The Bill and Hollyoaks, will play the beast in Beauty and the Beast.

The show begins at The Theatre Royal on Saturday, December 9, and runs until Sunday, January 14, 2018.

Nottingham actress Sherrie Hewson, known for playing Maureen Webster in Coronation Street, will play Mrs Potts.

Returning panto favourites Ben Nickless and Andrew Ryan will also perform.

Beauty and the Beast’s executive producer, Jonathan Kiley, said: “I’m thrilled that Ben will star as the beast in this year’s pantomime alongside the fabulous Sherrie, Ben, and Andrew.

“Not only is Ben a wonderful actor, he has a stunning singing voice and fantastic stage presence; the perfect leading man for this year’s production. This year’s show is going to be yet another unmissable pantomime so audiences should book their tickets now.”

Ben rose to fame in the ITV drama Footballers’ Wives, and went on to appear in Holby City, The Bill, Doctors, and Hollyoaks.

He also landed roles in films and has appeared in theatres across the UK and the West End with leading roles in Grease, Saturday Night Fever, The Full Monty, and Little Shop of Horrors.

Ben recently starred in The Bodyguard with Beverley Knight at the Dominion Theatre, London, which attracted record crowds.

The Beauty and the Beast will be produced by Qdos Entertainment, a leading pantomime producer.

The panto will follow the story of the protagonist character Belle who finds herself transported to a cursed castle and held captive by a hideous beast.

As the plot unfolds, Belle must see beyond the monster to fall in love with her captor whose heart she melts before the last petal falls from the enchanted rose.

Tickets range from £18 to £35.50 with discounts for Royal Members, under 16s and families.

Tickets can be purchased from The Theatre Royal’s website or by calling its box office on 0115 989 5555.

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