ANVIL Arts is delighted to announce that Strictly Come Dancing champion Joe McFadden will be taking the lead role of The Prince/Beast in The Anvil’s pantomime Beauty and The Beast.

The popular family-friendly outing returns this year, with the first performances from December 9

Joe is best known for his roles in Sex, Chips & Rock ‘n’ Roll, Heartbeat and Holby City.

He won the 2017 series of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing with dance partner Katya Jones.

Joe will be joined on stage by Chris Pizzey (Basil Brush’s Mr Stephen), who is excited to be returning to The Anvil to play Louis la Plonk, along with Nick Wilton as Polly La Plonk and Michael Quinn as Hugo Pompidou.

One of the most popular fairy stories, Beauty and The Beast makes its Anvil Christmas debut to tell a tale as old as time.

The pantomime tells the story of Belle, who finds herself imprisoned in an enchanted castle by a Prince who has been transformed into a hideous beast by an evil sorceress.

Can Belle see beyond the Beast’s appearance and fall in love with her captor? Will the Beast return to the world he once knew and win the hand of the girl who has melted his heart?

With larger-than-life characters, side-splitting comedy, sumptuous costumes, fabulous scenery and a thrilling transformation scene, this traditional family pantomime, written by Jon Monie, won Best Script at the Great British Pantomime Awards 2019, and has received 5 star reviews and broken box office records since it was first produced.

There is also to be a BSL Signed performance at 6pm on Tuesday December 14, as well as a Relaxed Performance at 2pm on Monday, December 20 .

This will cater for those on the autistic spectrum and for anyone who would prefer a performance with a quieter and more gentle tone.

To book your seats for Beauty and The Beast, call The Anvil box office on 01256 844244 or visit anvilarts.org.uk.

Beauty and The Beast is sponsored by the Basingstoke Gazette and runs from December 9 2021 to January 2 2022.