WITH the countdown to Christmas well and truly underway, the Towngate Theatre has announced Rylan Clark-Neal will star in this year's pantomime.

The former X Factor contestant and Celebrity Big Brother winner has risen to fame with a host of TV appearances.

And this Christmas he will star as the Magic Mirror, in the theatre's production of Snow White.

With regular hosting segments on ITV1’s This Morning, being the face of Big Brother’s Bit On The Side, and continuing to be a contestant on the award-winning Celebrity Juice; Rylan is taking time out of his schedule to be the Magic Mirror.

The theatre is hoping that following record sales at last year's Panto, Aladdin, that Snow White will be bigger and better than ever.

Basildon’s favourite panto stars, Simon Fielding and Sophie Ladds, will be returning to the Towngate stage – and Dame, Daniel Stockton will be returning for a third year.

Snow White runs at the Towngate Theatre, Basildon from Wednesday 28 November 2018 – Saturday 5 January 2019.

To book tickets, call the Box Office on 01268 205300 or book online at

www.towngatetheatre.co.uk.