Billy Pearce could be upstaged in Bradford this Christmas – by a scenestealing diva set to milk the applause.

Billy’s co-star in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Alhambra is a pantomime cow with a difference.

At just six months old and 3ft high, the real-life Dexter cow is making her panto debut as the cow Jack sells in exchange for a bag of magic beans.

The cow has already built quite a fanbase, after being taken on a small ‘meet and greet’ tour of the district. She has also been at Bradford Industrial Museum meeting visitors.

An Alhambra spokesman said a Dexter had been chosen for the panto because the breed has a good-natured temperament.

Joining the four-legged star on stage will be Bradford’s favourite funnyman Billy, in his 11th panto at the Alhambra.

The cast also includes former Leeds actress Gaynor Faye playing Jill. The last time Gaynor Faye appeared at the Alhambra she stripped off on stage – but this time she’ll be keeping her clothes on.

Earlier this year the Leeds actress starred in Calendar Girls, the stage version of the real-life story of the Rylstone and District WI’s nude calendar which raised more than £2 million for Leukaemia Research. The show went on to be a hit in London’s West End and returns to Yorkshire next spring, with a run at the Leeds Grand Theatre.

The daughter of TV writer Kay Mellor, Gaynor shot to fame in Coronation Street and has also appeared in Playing the Field, Fat Friends and The Chase, partly filmed in Otley. The cast of Jack and the Beanstalk also includes Tony Adams, who played Adam Chance in Crossroads and was at the Alhambra last year, playing Grandpa in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Tony will be slapping on the lipstick and donning a variety of outlandish dresses as Dame Trot. And playing the Fairy is Leanne Jones, who won an Olivier Award for her portrayal of Tracy Turnblad, opposite Michael Ball, in the smash hit production of Hairspray in the West End.

Billed as West Yorkshire’s biggest panto, the show also features special effects including ‘Britain’s biggest giant’.

Executive producer Jon Conway, of Qdos Productions, says: “Each year we bring an element of surprise to the production and Jack And The Beanstalk will be no different as we’re planning some very unusual special effects.”

* Jack And The Beanstalk runs at the Alhambra from December 12 to January 31, 2010. Tickets are available on (01274) 432000.