Wolverhampton Grand has announced the addition of former Neighbours and Coronation Street star, Ryan Thomas, to their production of Dick Whittington which plays at the theatre from Saturday 7th December,

Ryan, who will star in the title role, joins the previously announced Hi-de-Hi stars Su Pollard and Jeffrey Holland, with comedian Aaron James and returning favourites Ian Adams and Julie Paton.

Salford-born Ryan burst onto television screens on Christmas Day in 2000 in the role of Jason Grimshaw in the iconic ITV soap Coronation Street, a role he played for over 16 years. Best known for romantic entanglements, Ryan left Weatherfield three years ago in an emotional departure following the death of his on-screen father.

Since leaving the famed cobbles of Coronation Street, Ryan has starred in another iconic soap, playing the mysterious Rafael Humphreys  in Australia’s hugely popular 'Neighbours'.

Ryan also appeared on the second series of Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls which saw him fend for himself on the ultimate survival challenge, and on the final series of Celebrity Big Brother which saw him crowned the last ever winner of the iconic reality television show.

Dick Whittington will see him head to London to seek his fortune and win the hand of the beautiful Alice Fitzwarren. Hoping to outwit him will be legendary Su Pollard as the evil Queen Rat, with Jeffrey Holland as Alderman Fitzwarren, Aaron James as Idle Jack, Ian Adams as Sarah the Cook and Julie Paton as Fairy Bow Bells. Adrian Jackson, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the Grand, said:

“I am thrilled that Ryan is joining The Grand’s 125th Anniversary pantomime - he completes what is already an iconic line up and what will be a truly magical show.”

Dick Whittington is set to be another action-packed pantomime full of laughter, music and eye-popping special effects that audiences have come to expect of a Grand Theatre pantomime with Qdos Entertainment.

Tickets for the show, which runs from Saturday 7th December 2019 to Sunday 12th January 2020 are now on sale. They can be booked in person at the theatre, by calling 01902 42 92 12 or online at grandtheatre.co.uk.