Jennifer Ellison and Jake Quickenden to Star in PETER PAN at Blackpool Opera House

Blackpool Opera House and Selladoor Worldwide today announce that stage and TV star Jennifer Ellison will lead the cast of swashbuckling family adventure Peter Pan (16 Dec - 07 Jan) as Captain Hook alongside X Factor's Jake Quickenden in the title role. They will be joined on stage by Radio Wave's Breakfast Show fave Scott Gallagher as hapless sidekick Smee.

Jennifer Ellison rose to prominence in Brookside securing her place as a household name playing Meg Giry in the 2004 adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera directed by Joel Schumacher for Warner Bros. Jennifer is a regular on screen with numerous film and TV credits including The Cottage, Hotel Babylon , The Verdict, New Street Law, and The Brief. Her many other TV appearances include Hell's Kitchen (which she won), With a Little Help From My Friends and ITV's Loose Women, also reaching the semi-finals of Dancing On Ice. Most recently Jennifer has led UK version of the hit US series Dance Moms for the Lifetime channel which follows Jennifer at her very own dance school The Jennifer Ellison Fame Academy. A professional dancer since a very early age Jennifer has appeared on the West End stage in Chicago, Boeing Boeing, Singin' in the Rain and Calendar Girls, also appearing in UK tours of The War Of The Worlds, Legally Blonde and numerous pantomimes.

Jennifer Ellison says 'I'm really excited to be turning the classic tale of Peter Pan on its head and playing a female Captain Hook. This isn't a traditional pantomime; it will be a real adventure with lots of magic and some fantastic music. It's a really exciting project to be working on and I can't wait to get on stage to play the ultimate baddy. Sometimes it's good to be bad!'

Singer and reality TV Favourite Jake Quickenden was first seen on X Factor in 2012 where he won a coveted spot on Nicole Scherzinger's team, unfortunately Jake didn't make it to the live shows but returned in 2014 and this time went through to perform in the live shows. Following X Factor Jake presented Chart Show Dance, and Chart Show TV and backstage from Wireless Music Festival and in 2015 joined popular TV show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! Where he came runner-up. In 2015 and 2016 Jake toured the UK performing his own music and most recently has been seen as a TV panellist on shows including Loose Women, Big Brothers BBBOTS. His co presenting slot alongside Lorraine on her Morning TV Show was a real opportunity for Jake at ITV, not only was he 'Jungle Jake' talking to guests re I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here but was thrilled to be asked to travel the Country presenting Lorraine's very SpeciAl Kelly's Hero Awards to really deserving (unsuspecting!) people and dovetailing it all via live link into the Lorraine Studio. Peter Pan will be Jakes first acting role.

Jake Quickenden says 'I've been really interested in taking on a stage role for a long time and this is the perfect opportunity for me. I love the Peter Pan story I've always said I'm a bit like him as I never really wanted to grow up, so to have the chance to play him in a brand new production with a fabulous contemporary score is going to be amazing. I've also heard that I will definitely fly. Brilliant, I mean, who doesn't want to fly?!'

Join the boy who never grew up, Wendy, John and Michael as they take on the villainous Captain Hook and her band of merry pirates in the battle for Neverland in a spectacular show for all the family. With a feisty fairy and a band of lost boys on their side will it be enough to stop the evil Hook? You'll have to come along to find out.

Peter Pan is produced by the award-winning Selladoor Family, leading producer of mid and large-scale family productions including The Quite Remarkable Adventures of the Owl and the Pussycat, James and the Giant Peach, Guess How Much I Love You and The Broons.

David Hutchinson, Creative Producer of Selladoor Family said: 'We're thrilled to be working alongside the Opera House, to bring this classic tale to life on stage. Peter Pan marks our commitment to our partnership with the Winter Gardens to bring many more shows to this fantastic venue'

With a live band, lavish set and spectacular costumes, the sky's the limit this Christmas as you're taken on a magical journey to Neverland in this sensational, swashbuckling adventure. Second star to the right, and straight on to Blackpool!

Tickets start at just £10 so treat your family this festive season to an awfully big adventure! Hook your tickets now at www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk and if you book before the 19th September you'll be entered into a free prize draw to win a trip to Disneyland Paris (T&C's apply) courtesy of National Holidays.

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