Julian Clary, Paul Zerdin and Nigel Havers lead Dick Whittington at the London Palladium

Panto returns to the London Palladium

Initial casting has today been announced for Qdos Entertainment's London Palladium production of Dick Whittington which runs from 9 December to 14 January 2018, with an official opening on 13 December.

Following the success of Cinderella at the same venue last year, Julian Clary will return to play 'Spirit of the Bells' alongside Paul Zerdin as Idle Jack and Nigel Havers as Captain Nigel. Further casting and creative team is yet to be announced.

Produced by Nick Thomas and Michael Harrison for Qdos Entertainment, Dick Whittington will be directed by Michael Harrison who has directed 12 consecutive pantomimes at Newcastle Theatre Royal and 7 productions at Birmingham Hippodrome.

Julian Clary's TV debut came in 1989 with ITV quiz show Trick or Treat and Channel 4's Sticky Moments. He is a best-selling author, a regular panelist on Radio 4's Just a Minute and last year toured his one man show 'The Joy of Mincing'.

Ventriloquist Paul Zerdin won America's Got Talent which was followed by his own residency at the legendary Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. Also a household name in the UK, Zerdin has appeared on The Royal Variety Performance three times and last year appeared as Buttons in the London Palladium's Cinderella.

Nigel Havers has starred in 'Chariots of Fire', 'Passage to India', 'Empire of The Sun', 'Don't Wait Up' and 'Man Child'. His numerous West End appearances include Art and The Importance of Being Earnest as well as last year played the Lord Chamberlain in Cinderella at the Palladium.

Dick Whittington tickets are now on sale.