JASON Manford is to return to Manchester this Christmas to star in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Opera House.

Jason will be reunited with Ben Nickless who will play Silly Simon in the festive family show. The pair worked together in The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan last year.

Jason said: "I know I joked about Peter Pan being my ‘farewell debut’ in panto, but in truth I had such a wonderful time last Christmas that I was itching to do it again. So, to be invited back to the Opera House in Manchester with such a fun and collaborative company and alongside my new best mate, the hilarious Ben Nickless, well, how could I say no?

"This Christmas I’ll be putting down the hook and stepping into the title role in Jack and the Beanstalk, and I’m very much looking forward to playing the nice guy!

"The Manchester audiences are second to none, so I’m really honoured to be part of your Christmas panto tradition once again."

Britain’s Got Talent finalist Ben will be returning to the Opera House for his fifth consecutive year. He said: "Jason and I had such a great time working and laughing together last year, we thought we should do one more together and I can’t wait to get started on some new routines for the amazing Manchester audiences."

Michael Harrison, Chief Executive of the UK’s biggest pantomime producer Crossroads Pantomimes said: “Jason was such a hit last year in Manchester that it was a no brainer to ask him back for another season, he is a comedy legend and together with Opera House favourite Ben Nickless the show has all the ingredients to delight comedy lovers looking for a great time this Christmas."

Robin Hawkes, Theatre Director of the Palace Theatre & Opera House said: “Last year was our most successful pantomime to date, with thousands of visitors relishing what quickly became a showstopping partnership between Jason and Ben. The entire show was a runaway success, and we are therefore thrilled these two titans of comedy will be reunited on our stage later this year."

Jack and the Beanstalk replaces the originally announced production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and will now run from Saturday, December 2 through to New Year’s Eve.