EASTENDERS star Richard Blackwood will be flying high in this year’s Bournemouth pantomime Aladdin. The British comedian will play Abanazar alongside The X Factor’s Amelia Lily who will play the Spirit of the Ring.

A spokesman for the 2019 production said: “Packed full of everything you’d want in a pantomime including laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and of course - a flying carpet!

“Follow Aladdin, his brother Wishee Washee, and of course his mother Widow Twankey, on a spectacular adventure.”

Appearing alongside Richard Blackwood and Amelia Lily will be pantomime favourites – Noel Brodie as Wishee Washee and David Ball as Widow Twankey.

Richard Blackwood, who plays hardman Vincent Hubbard is due to leave the BBC soap opera this spring. The actor has a number of film and television credits to his name including playing Levi in Death In Paradise.

Amelia Lily finished third on the eighth series of The X Factor in 2011, mentored by Kelly Rowland. Her debut single, You Bring Me Joy, was released in 2012 and reached number two on the UK Singles Chart, while her follow-up singles Shut Up (and Give Me Whatever You Got) and Party Over (both 2013) reached the top 20 and the top 40 respectively.

Her theatre credits include playing Princess Fiona in Shrek: The Musical (UK Tour).

n Aladdin will be staged at Bournemouth Pavilion from Saturday, December 7 in 2019 to Sunday, January 5 in 2020. Tickets range in price from £20.75 – £24.00, early bird discounts and concessions are available.

For more details or to book online, go to http://bit.ly/2D67bRt or call 0300 500 0595.