SOAP star Charlie Hardwick and S Club 7 singer Jon Lee will be setting sail for Neverland in this year's Alhambra pantomime.

Bradford Theatres has announced that Charlie, who played feisty Val Pollard in Emmerdale, and pop and West End theatre star Jon will headline Peter Pan alongside Alhambra panto king Billy Pearce and actor, singer and presenter Darren Day.

Charlie Hardwick was a regular on Emmerdale from 2004 until Val was killed in the aftermath of the soap's dramatic helicopter crash last summer.

She proved a hit with soap fans and critics and was nominated six times for Best Comedy Performance at the British Soap Awards, an accolade

she won in 2006. At last weekend's Soap Awards she won Best Dramatic Episode, with co-star Elizabeth for the helicopter crash.

In addition to her television work Charlie has also appeared in the films Purely Belter, Billy Elliot and The

Scar, for which she won the Best Actress award at the Monte Carlo Film Awards. She appeared in the UK tour of Cooking with Elvis alongside Frank Skinner and made her panto debut for Qdos Entertainment in last year’s production of Dick Whittington at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle.

Charlie will play the Magical Mermaid in Peter Pan, guiding the high-flying hero, the Darling family and the Lost Boys from the evil clutches of dastardly Captain Hook.

Joining Charlie is Jon, in the title role of Peter Pan. Jon made his professional stage debut aged 13 playing the title role in Oliver! at the London Palladium and he went on to appear in EastEnders. In 1999 he joined popsters S Club 7, a group that was launched via BBC television series Miami 7.

They went on to have four UK number one singles, recorded four albums and sold more than 14 million albums worldwide. The band also won two BRIT awards. In 2015 they reunited for a UK tour which saw all seven members together again performing their greatest hits.

After the group disbanded Jon enjoyed a successful stage career, starring as Marius in Les Misérables in the West End, and appeared in the musicals Love Shack, Teen Scream and Tomorrow Morning. Returning to the West End, Jon starred as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys and released his debut solo album, Fallen Angel. More recently he led the cast of Fifties musical Forever Plaid in London.

Billy Pearce plays Smee in the swashbuckling panto and Darren Day is Captain Hook.

Executive producer Michael Harrison said: “The casting of Charlie Hardwick and Jon Lee add further comedy and musical talent to our Alhambra pantomime, which is fitting for Yorkshire’s biggest and funniest pantomime.

"Peter Pan will be packed with special effects and will once again see us using 3D projection to bring the action right out into the auditorium!”

Adam Renton, General Manager Bradford Theatres, added: “It’s exciting to welcome another two talented performers into our fantastic headline cast. "The region’s audiences have huge affection for the Alhambra Theatre’s Christmas show - there’s always something for everyone. I’m sure audiences this year will thoroughly enjoy our outstanding festive entertainment for theatregoers of all ages.”

Peter Pan will be staged by Qdos Entertainment, the company behind previous Alhambra pantos.

* Peter Pan runs at the Alhambra from December 17 to January 29, 2017. For tickets call (01274) 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk