It is of course a common recourse for former soap stars to appear in panto, however, it’s quite unusual for the show’s bosses to allow their current cast members to take time off from filming the show to star in a panto…

However, Steve McFadden, who of course plays villain Phil Mitchell did just that last year, having thrashed out the option to do so when he renewed his contract with the show, and he’s doing the same again this year.

Speaking to News Shopper about the role, Steve said, “I am delighted to be playing the part of Abanazar in Dartford this year.

“Playing the pantomime bad guy is such great fun, and there are lots of opportunities to interact with the audience during the show.

“The Orchard in Dartford has a great reputation – I’m really looking forward to playing there this Christmas…”

And Jonathan Kiley, the executive producer for Qdos Entertainment, added, “As a former British Soap Awards ‘Villain of the Year’, Steve is certainly well qualified to lead the cast as the pantomime bad guy.

“With 3D sequences, this production has all of the elements of traditional family pantomime that Dartford audiences have come to expect…

“But also has the added element of an array of outstanding and unmissable visual effects.”

And of course, it was recently reported that Steve’s former co-star Cheryl Fergison is also starring in panto this year.

Will you be going to see either – or both – of them?