STARS from the Alhambra Theatre’s Cinderella pantomime spread some cheer at Marie Curie Bradford Hospice this week.

Emmerdale favourite Samantha Giles (Baroness Voluptua Fortuna) and Phil Hitchcock (Magician Baron Hardup) took time out of their busy performance schedule to spend nearly an hour with nurses, patients, and their families at the hospice in Maudsley Street.

The Alhambra Theatre’s spectacular family pantomime runs until this Sunday  (January 21).

Samantha, who played Bernice in Emmerdale, said: “We know this time of year can be a difficult time for people receiving end of life care and their families, so we were thrilled to be able to visit the hospice to bring a sprinkling of new year magic. To be able to bring joy to the patients, their families and Marie Curie staff was wonderful.”

Sue Hogston, Marie Curie’s Head of Nursing and Quality at the hospice, said: “It was lovely to welcome cast members from the panto. It really put some smiles on the faces of our staff, patients and visitors.

“We always try to do as much as we can to help our patients and their families to smile and create memories and this visit has created this wonderful opportunity at the start of the year.”