South Shields star Joe to spread festive cheer in panto Aladdin

The X Factor and Popstar to Opera Star champ is set to star as Aladdin in the festive show at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

Joe, from Westoe, will take on the role from December 10 to January 22, next year.

The singer is currently starring as Joseph in a UK tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

He took to Twitter to say: “Excited for this at the end of the year.”

Joe will star in the show alongside Lisa Riley, Emmerdale’s Mandy Dingle, as the Slave of the Ring.

This will be Joe’s fourth pantomime, having previously starred as Prince Charming in Cinderella and the Spirit of the Mirror in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs two years in a row. It’s set to be a busy year for Joe who will head out on his Northern Light tour after finishing his run in Joseph.

Michael Harrison, managing director of Qdos Entertainment and the producer of Aladdin said: “We’re absolutely delighted to already have such a great headline cast in Wolverhampton, led by the talented Joe McElderry and Lisa Riley. Watch this space as there is still more star casting to announce, which will make this Wolverhampton’s biggest pantomime yet.”

Adrian Jackson, chief executive of the Grand Theatre said: “It has been very exciting working with the team in order to ensure we bring the very best of Christmas entertainment to the Grand Theatre in our production of Aladdin.”

To book, go to www.grandtheatre.co.uk or call the box office on 01902 429212.