POPULAR children’s TV presenter Chris Jarvis has been revealed as the star of Dick Whittington, this year’s feelgood family pantomime from Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts.

Chris is no stranger to local audiences. In addition to playing the role of Dick Whittington he directs and co-writes the pantomime with actor Peter Duncan. This is the third year running that Duncan Reeves Productions has co-produced the Poole panto with Lighthouse, following the success of their productions of Aladdin and Cinderella.

Since making his name presenting from the ‘Broom Cupboard’ in the early 90s on Children’s BBC, Chris Jarvis has written and presented many programmes for young people and was one of the original line-up of CBeebies presenters. He can currently be seen on CBeebies co-presenting Show Me Show with Pui Fan Lee and will no doubt be joining in with Blue Peter’s 60th celebrations this year along with Peter who was a presenter of the show in the 1980s.

“It’s a huge thrill to be back in Dorset for pantomime at the wonderful Lighthouse and in such great company!” comments Chris. “We’re pulling out all the stops for the 40th anniversary to bring you a fabulous comedy panto for absolutely everyone to laugh, boo, cheer and join in with.”

“We are so happy Chris has come back to his roots and will be lighting up the Lighthouse stage with his talents as well as contributing with his great experience of the Pantomime genre,” continues Peter. “In Lighthouse’s 40th year this could be the greatest show on Earth! Well nearly!”

CEO for Lighthouse, Elspeth McBain adds: “We are very pleased indeed that local Panto legend Chris Jarvis will be part of our pantomime company this year. We are looking forward to working with him to bring our audiences another fabulous production for Christmas”

Visitors to the Lighthouse pantomime will be guaranteed plenty of laughs, sparkling new scenery, great contemporary music and audience mayhem as Dick, accompanied by his acrobatic cat sets sail on an adventure in search of fame and fortune. Will he return to become Lord Mayor of London? You’ll have to come to Lighthouse to find out.

Dick Whittington is a Christmas treat for the whole family and runs at Lighthouse from Friday 7 to Monday 31 December. Tickets are on sale now from the ticket office at Lighthouse, by calling 01202 280000 or online at www.lighthousepoole.co.uk