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Matt Baker and Paul O'Grady star in London Palladium panto Goldilocks and the Three Bears

The One Show and Countryfile’s Matt Baker will make his pantomime debut at the London Palladium this festive season.

Paul O'Grady will return to the Palladium to star in Goldilocks and the Three Bears, joining regulars Julian Clary, Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot.

O’Grady previously starred as the Wicked Stepmother in Cinderella in 2016, which reintroduced pantomime to the venue after a 29 year absence.

The show, running from December 7-January 12, follows Dame Betty Barnum (Wilmot) and her daughter Goldilocks, whose circus is under threat from a rival ringmaster (O’Grady). All seems lost until three bears join the group to lend a hand.

A series of speciality acts join the cast, including illusionist Phil Hitchcock, high-speed roller-skating group the Skating Medini and Europe’s youngest stunt rider Peter Pavlov.

Michael Harrison directs the production, with choreography by Karen Bruce, set design by Ian Westbrook, lighting by Ben Cracknell, sound by Gareth Owen, music by Gary Hind and a team of costume designers including Hugh Durrant.

Tickets go on sale on Friday May 31.