A DISNEY hero, Strictly pros, rock royalty, and stars of stage, screen and sport are lighting up Bradford Theatres glittering Spring 2022 season.

Here’s our exclusive preview of the live entertainment line-up in the district for coming months:

A highlight on the ALHAMBRA stage is the long-awaited return of The Lion King, Disney’s multi award-winning musical telling the story of Simba and his epic journey from wide-eyed cub to his destined role as King of the Pridelands. Featuring stunning puppetry and unforgettable songs, the global hit blends traditional theatrical techniques with state-of-the-art effects.

Also at the Alhambra is The Addams Family, starring former Strictly Come Dancing champion Joanne Clifton as Morticia and Cameron Blakeley as Gomez heading up the kooky, spooky clan.

Jersey Boys, the Olivier award-winning Broadway and West End sensation, tells the inside story of Frankie Vali and the Four Seasons, from downtown New Jersey to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.

The Dresser, starring Julian Clary and Matthew Kelly, is a funny and affectionate portrait of backstage life in a regional theatre, and Opera International’s triple bill of Tosca, Carmen and Madama Butterfly features international soloists and a world-class chorus and orchestra.

Over at ST GEORGE’S HALL, 2022 gets underway in style with the Hallé Orchestra’s Viennese New Year Concert.

There is more classical season later in the spring with the European Union Chamber Orchestra - part of St George’s Hall’s 153rd Orchestral Music Season - and Tchaikovsky from the Symphony Orchestra Moscow.

Dance fans are in for a treat, with exciting new shows from two Strictly favourites - Giovanni Pernice’s This Is Me and Johannes Radebe’s Freedom - and Northern Ballet’s Pinocchio will bring the classic children’s story to life.

Folk queen Barbara Dickson returns to St George’s Hall with her Time is Going Faster tour, and also returning is the Modfather himself, Paul Weller, whose highly anticipated concert is already sold out.

But fear not - there is plenty more music from Curtis Stigers; the Chicago Blues Brothers; the American Four Tops Show; Queen Extravaganza, Midge Ure and Band Electronica’s Voice & Visions Tour; singer/songwriter, composer, poet and actor Satinder Sartaajret; and Steve Steinman’s Vampires Rock.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor brings her Kitchen Disco to the stage and opera star Sir Willard White presents Some Enchanted Evening, while Seven Drunken Nights tells the story of The Dubliners and Calling Planet Earth celebrates the synth pop decade, with chart-toppers of the Eighties.

Tickling our funny bones will be comics Russell Brand, Dave Spikey, Omid Djalili, Jason Manford and Jimmy Carr, and back with their biggest comedy catastrophe to date is Mischief, the makers of The Play That Goes Wrong, with their new show created with magic legends, Penn & Teller.

There’s racy fun with The Dreamboys and Menopause The Musical 2, starring Benidorm actress Crissy Rock; big top thrills and spills in Circus Spectacular; Irish dance extravaganza Spirit of the Dance; Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK and The Pundits Tour - An Evening with Soccer’s Most Famous Pundits, hosted by Sky Sports’ Jeff Stelling with a panel featuring Paul Merson, Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas.

And Sally Morgan is back in her show Psychic Sally - 10 Years and Counting.

At KINGS HALLin Ilkley, there’s music from soul queen Ruby Turner; Squeeze frontman Glenn Tilbrook; You Win Again, celebrating the songs of the Bee Gees; the Story of Guitar Heroes; the Nick Ross Orchestra paying tribute to Glenn Miller and the Rat Pack era; The Traveling Wilburys Songbook; Pink Floyd tribute Darkside and a tribute to Neil Diamond in Hello Again.

The Animals bring their Farewell Tour to the stage and Tina Live pays tribute to the one and only Tina Turner.

Drag queen and YouTuber Juno Birch presents her new show Attack of the Stunning, and for foodies, there’s a show from TV chef Phil Vickery.

For green-fingered audiences Carol Klein, acclaimed plants-woman, bestselling author and popular gardening expert, talks about life in her beautiful cottage garden.

For young theatre-goers there’s Oi Frog and Friends - join Frog, Cat and Dog in the Olivier Award nominated action-packed stage adaptation of Kes Gray and Jim Field’s bestselling books.

Comic, ventriloquist and America’s Got Talent winner Paul Zerdin presents his show Hands Free and comic Lou Sanders brings her One Word: Wow tour to the Ilkley stage.

And the creators of hit education podcast Two Mr Ps in a Podcast bring to the stage a selection of funny stories from the front line of teaching.

At THE STUDIO there’s An Evening Without Kate Bush, featuring acclaimed performer Sarah-Louise Young who explores the music and mythology of one of the most influential voices in British music.

Also at The Studio, which is just up the road from the Alhambra Theatre, are stand-up shows from comic Ahir Shah and Luke Kempner’s Macho Man.

Adam Renton, general manager Bradford Theatres, said: “I’m so pleased to be able to introduce our spring 2022 season, which is filled with wonderful shows at all of our four venues.

“Our hugely successful Alhambra pantomime is returning this year and there’s still time to grab a ticket. Be amazed by the special effects and join Billy Pearce and Dr Ranj in the hilarious but classic tale, Sleeping Beauty, which runs until mid-January.

“It will have been eight years since the global phenomenon that is Disney’s The Lion King appeared at the Alhambra Theatre and I am thrilled that it’s returning to us for nine weeks from mid-March. Book early to avoid disappointment.

“We look forward to welcoming audiences to one of our venues in the very near future.”

* Tickets for all Bradford Theatres shows are available on (01274) 432000 and bradford-theatres.co.uk