STRICTLY dance contestant Lisa Riley is to join show judge Craig Revel Horwood in this year’s Cliffs Pavilion pantomime.

Lisa entertained millions during her 12 weeks in the recent series of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and made it to the semi-finals with baddie of the judging panel Craig even praising her abilitites.

The actress will take on the role of Lisa the Lady’s Maid in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs opposite Craig who will play the Wicked Queen.

Lisa, 36, became a household name in the role of Mandy Dingle in Emmerdale, a part she played for seven years, winning numerous awards.

She has also starred in Fat Friends, presented You’ve Been Framed and has appeared in countless other television programmes including The Bill, Waterloo Road, Doctors, Holby City and recently in Scott and Bailey for ITV.

Cliffs Pavilion drector Ellen McPhillips said: “We are delighted that Lisa is able to join Craig for what is already proving to be our most-popular pantomime to-date.

“Last Christmas we broke the pantomime record here in Southend and yet advance sales for Snow White are way ahead of where we were at this time last year.

“Lisa’s addition to the line-up will make it even more popular and I would strongly urge our regular pantomime-goers not to leave their booking until too late!”

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs runs from December 13 to January 4, 2014. Tickets can be booked online at southendtheatres.org.uk