Former Emmerdale stars to appear in Grand Opera House pantomime (From York Press)

Former Emmerdale stars Lisa Riley and Stuart Wade to appear in Grand Opera House pantomime, Cinderella

9:18am Thursday 27th May 2010 in News

LISA Riley will join fellow former Emmerdale star Stuart Wade this Christmas in the Grand Opera House pantomime, Cinderella.

The actress, who played Mandy Dingle in the Yorkshire Television soap opera and later hosted You’ve Been Framed, will appear as Cinderella’s Wicked Stepmother in the panto run from December 10 to January 2 next year.

Stuart, Emmerdale’s Biff Fowler, will be directing the Opera House pantomime for a second time after his debut last year with Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs. Once more he will be in the cast too, following up his daft-sidekick role as Muddles with another cheeky children’s favourite, Buttons.

Stuart’s cast also will feature comedian Syd Little as Baron Hardup and Jen Pringle, from Five’s morning show Milkshake, as the Fairy Godmother. Syd, one half of the comedy double act Little And Large, appeared previously in a Grand Opera House panto as Supersonic, the Genie of the Ring, in Aladdin in 2006-2007, while York-born Jen returned to her home city last August to host Milkshake Live.

Further names for the New Pantomime Productions show will be announced in due course. Tickets are on sale on 0844 847 2322 or online at grandoperahouseyork.org.uk.