Wolverhampton Grand Theatre have announced that 'The Bill' star, Graham Cole, will complete the line-up of this year’s family pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, which runs from Saturday 9th December to Sunday 14th January.

Graham will join the previously announced Gareth Gates, Lisa Riley, Doreen Tipton, Ian Adams and Adam C Booth in yet another fun-filled family pantomime from Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime producer.

Graham is best-known as PC Tony Stamp in the much-loved ITV serial drama The Bill, a role he played for over 25 years from 1984 until the programme ended in 2009. In that time he detained thousands of criminals ensuring the streets of London were safe, but will be swapping good for bad, playing the role of the Giant’s henchman, the evil Fleshcreep in this year’s panto. 

In addition to his lengthy stint at Sun Hill Police Station, Graham held previous roles in Doctor Who, Casualty and The Twin Dilemma. Since leaving the cop show, Graham has also fronted Police, Stop!, appeared in Law & Order UK and made numerous stage appearances, including the leading role in Scrooge at the Garrick Theatre and General Waverley in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh, a role he reprised for a record-breaking run at the Dominion Theatre in London’s West End.

Graham is also president of the National Holiday Fund, which takes sick and disabled children to Disney World in Florida. He has been patron to ChildLine for over 30 years, and has supported numerous other charities which saw him awarded the OBE in 2010 for his charitable work. Speaking on his role as Fleshcreep, Graham said:

“Having played one of the good guys for so many years I’m really looking forward to playing a real baddie for once, and what better way to spend Christmas than to terrify Wolverhampton audiences working for Giant Blunderbore.”

Tickets are already on sale for the show and can be booked in person, by phone on 01902 42 92 12 or online at grandtheatre.co.uk.