TV STAR Todd Carty has said it’s “lovely” to be back in Poole as he prepares to appear in pantomime this Christmas.

The former Eastenders actor is playing King Tucker in Sleeping Beauty at Lighthouse this year.

Todd is one of British television’s best-known faces playing Tucker Jenkins in Grange Hill and its spin-off Tucker’s Luck, Mark Fowler in EastEnders and PC Gabriel Kent from The Bill.

He also played Major Metcalf from The Mousetrap when the 70th anniversary production of Agatha Christie’s famous whodunnit played a week at Lighthouse at the end of April.

His next project, Sleeping Beauty, is written and directed by Chris Jarvis, who also plays the Dame, with production designer James Smith, choreographer Daniel Donaldson Todd and musical director Adam Tuffrey.

Todd said: “Sleeping Beauty is a new one for me. I have played a king before in Jack and the Beanstalk, although this might be a different type of king – we’ll have to see what comes out in the wash.

“What I love about panto is that it’s open to all ages. I remember seeing my first panto, I was maybe four years old, and loving the lights and the spectacle, all the songs; you can just let yourself go, whether you’re four or 104.

“I like to have fun in panto. It’s a huge team effort and we all want to put on a show that everyone enjoys – grandma, grandad, mum, dad and the children, of course.

"Lighthouse is well known for keeping it local and keeping it topical, which I think is a lovely touch. And Chris has a real mind for this – we’ve not worked together before, but I’ve run into him a few times on the circuit and he’s a lovely chap, very clever.”

Todd’s week at Lighthouse in The Mousetrap at the end of April meant he had time to get to know the area.

He said: “I had a great time here.

“Funnily enough, I bumped into a few old friends who had moved to Dorset in recent years. They showed me around the area, and I can see why – it’s a beautiful spot. So, I’m sure to see lots of familiar faces and, of course, family will come down for Christmas.

“It’s lovely to come back and, more importantly, it’s lovely to be asked to come back.”

Sleeping Beauty opens on Thursday, December 12 and runs until Sunday, January 5.

Tickets are available now at lighthousepoole.co.uk/event/sleeping-beauty or on 01202 280000.