BBC Radio 2 presenter Richie Anderson is to make his panto debut as Alderman Fitzwarren in Dick Whittington at Leicester’s De Montfort Hall.
Anderson hosts his own Sunday night show on Radio 2 as well as keeping the nation updated with travel bulletins every weekday afternoon. On television, he has appeared on Strictly Come Dancing and is a regular reporter on The One Show.
He said, “I’m so excited to be doing my first panto at De Montfort Hall in Leicester. As a Midlands boy, it had to be in this wonderful part of the world. I spent a lot of time here in 2023 for Radio 2 in the Park so can’t wait to be back!”
Suzanne Shaw will play Fairy Bowbells in Dick Whittington. She has plenty of panto experience, playing the Slave of the Ring and Genie of the Lamp in Aladdin at Richmond Theatre in 2012 and the title role in Cinderella at Birmingham Hippodrome in 2017.
She said, “I love panto and couldn’t be happier to be joining this fabulous cast at De Montfort Hall. I’ve heard great things about the audiences and the venue. We’re going to have a great time.”
CBeebies favourite Rebecca Keatley will join the cast. She commented, “I've fond memories of taking to the stage as the Snow Queen in Leicester in 2017, so it's great to be back but this time in a less icy role as I take on the part of Alice Fitzwarren. I'm so excited to be involved in what is set to be a truly magical show.”
Beatboxer Hobbit will play Tommy the Cat in Dick Whittington and will join previously announced Jarred Christmas, who will be making his fifth consecutive appearance in a De Montfort Hall panto, and dame Jack Ballard.
Imagine Theatre will produce Dick Whittington, which will run at De Montfort Hall from Friday 12 December until Saturday 3 January 2026.