IT may not be in the same news’ league as the presidents of North and South Korea meeting but the casting for Cinderella at Manchester’s Palace Theatre this December has caused fascination.

The two Ugly Sisters are to be played by two recent Coronation Street actors – Connor McIntyre and Les Dennis. The latter we already know well but the really interesting choice is the former, who has been playing arch baddie Pat Phelan to great effect.

This sounds like genius casting. Les, who played the fall guy (quite literally, since Phelan bumped him off) and the ‘orrible Phelan whose Corrie body count rose by the week.

Panto is always an opportunity these days to see some of our TV favourites live and in greasepaint. They are traditional fun for all the family and as much a part of Christmas as mistletoe.

This, though, sounds like the kind of fairytale dynamic that could bring a whole new dimension to Cinderella – and could well keep the Fairy Godmother working very hard throughout.