See the Emmerdale stars set for Sleeping Beauty at Blackpool Grand Theatre

This year’s Panto Dame has been announced and fans of a certain ITV soap might be familiar with him.

Philip Meeks, playwright and soap screenwriter of Emmerdale, Heartbeat and Doctors, is set to star in the pantomime Sleeping Beauty at Blackpool Grand Theatre and he’s been named Panto Dame.

The show will take place this Christmas and tickets for the family show are available to buy now.

Talking about the new outfits he’ll be sporting as Nursie in the pantomime, Meeks said: “It’s so very Blackpool”.

Philip Meeks (Blackpool Grand Theatre)

He added: “Glamourous, but not too above itself. My new frocks include one I’m certain all the dads will find very hot indeed… and a little number that is a double tribute to a beloved national institution AND a community at the heart of Blackpool.”

Philip will share the stage with familiar faces Hayley Tamaddon, Dancing On Ice champion and Emmerdale star, as well as Britain’s Got Talent finalist Steve Royle.

He said: “Sleeping Beauty is my favourite pantomime and it’s so great to be back in Blackpool with Steve and to work with Hayley who I wrote lots for when she was a Dingle in Emmerdale, including some of her first ever scenes!”

Those visiting the theatre to watch Sleeping Beauty can expect lots of fun, music and laughter plus a variety of costumes and special effects as it aims to keep all the family entertained.

Philip Meeks as Nursie (Blackpool Grand Theatre)

With the show being performed around Christmas, there’ll be a seasonal touch too.

Blackpool Grand Theatre has seen a host of names take the Panto Dame spot over the years and this isn’t Philip’s first time as he was Panto Dame in 2016 when he played Widow Twankey in Aladdin.

How to buy tickets to Sleeping Beauty at Blackpool Grand Theatre

If you’d like to see Sleeping Beauty at the theatre this Christmas, here’s how you can.

Sleeping Beauty is at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Friday, December 2, 2022 until Sunday, January 1, 2023 with both matinee and afternoon performances available.

Accessible performances will be available and tickets can be booked either via the theatre website or by calling the Box Office on 01253 29019.