De Montfort Hall and Imagine Theatre have announced the pairing in their new family show Aladdin.
Sam Bailey is back for her fourth consecutive year after a fantastic run in last year’s critically acclaimed panto, Peter Pan.
Sam won the award for Best Supporting Female at the Great British Pantomime Awards, while the Peter Pan cast took the award for Best Ensemble.
Sam said: “I am so pleased to be back in Leicester for Christmas. I had such a laugh last year and cannot wait to get back on stage and into costume.”
BBC Radio Leicester’s Martin Ballard, will once again sport a frock and play the Dame – this year Widow Twankey.
Nathan Connor – a children’s presenter for Milkshake! Channel 5 – will be joining the cast with Paul Burling from Britain’s Got Talent, as well as magicians Matthew Pomeroy and Natasha Lamb.
Antony Flint, De Montfort Hall general manager, said: “We are thrilled to have Sam and Martin back on board after proving themselves to be pantomime favourites. Anthony, Nathan and Paul will further enhance this remarkable cast.
“Panto is now firmly in the festive calendar for our audiences – and this year will be bigger and better than ever.”
Aladdin will take audiences on a magic carpet ride to ancient China where songs, laughter, fun, baddies, silliness – and lots of custard pies – come together to create a traditional De Montfort Hall pantomime.