TWO experienced pantomime actors have joined the cast of Cinderella after the sudden death of one of its stars.

The cast and crew of the Albert Halls festive show were left devastated when Stephen Howe was found dead on Tuesday, December 9.

He had been entertaining families with his Ugly Sisters partner Roger Darrock since the panto opened at the end of last month.

Now Michael Garland and Colin Roberts have stepped into the roles to ensure that the show goes on - until the end of its run on Sunday, January 4.

They are appearing alongside Stu Francis, Lucia Matisse, Aston Dobson and The Harper Brothers — Rob and Darren, who are sons of Cannon and Ball's Bobby Ball.

Speaking of the death of Mr Howe, who was from Telford in Shropshire and in his early 60s, Mr Garland said: "It's dreadful.

"I got a phone call on Monday morning to ask if I would come up — anything I can do to help, I did.

"We both learnt the lines overnight.

"We got on stage and we did it.

"We get on very well. We have both done it before but not with each other.

"It's dreadful about Stephen but people have paid money to see the panto."

Panto dame Mr Roberts, from Huddersfield, said: "I was shocked.

"We want to help people out and we did it.

"I was here seven years ago, in Red Riding Hood with Ted Robbins."

Mr Garland has appeared in 30 pantomimes playing an Ugly Sister or the villain and was enjoying a season off when he got the call to step in.

He added: "It's good fun. We are enjoying it, it's going well.

"I love being nasty."

For the performances before Mr Garland and Mr Roberts stepped in, comedian Janice Connolly — Mrs Bamforth in That Peter Kay Thing and Holy Mary in both Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere — and comedian Smug Roberts covered the roles, each performing with stage manager Peter Kosta.

Chris Cordingley, business development manager of the Albert Halls, said: "All the kids absolutely love it.

"Lots of schools have been coming.

"It's going really well."

For tickets, visit alberthalls-bolton.co.uk or telephone the box office on 01204 334400.