Beauty and the Beast starts at the theatre in three months' time and will entertain audiences throughout Christmas with jokes, sing-a-longs and family fun.

Jonathan Ryley will play Silly Billy in the show which has been transformed into a pantomime for the first time.

Describing his role, he said: "Silly Billy is the comic character and is the son of a lady who has just come to the village to work as a cleaner. He falls in love with Belle and looks out for her."

Jonathan, who was once an entertainment manager on cruise ships, said he prefers pantomime to straight theatre.

He added: "I really enjoy it as for many children it is their introduction to theatre. I love the moment when the curtain goes up and you can hear the gasps. It is a great way to earn a living.

"Audiences can expect all the traditional panto favourites and then some."

The show, which is written by Steve Heather, also stars Lauren Stroud as Belle. The actress and singer has previously appeared as Éponine in Les Misérables and alongside Michael Ball in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Touch Radio presenter Ben Day will also be making a cameo in the production alongside character Silly Billy.

The Breakfast Show presenter does not know much about his part yet but is looking forward to his first panto appearance.

He said: "I am really excited. Acting is something I have always been interested in and I am normally quite a silly person so I think this is probably the right thing for me to be in."

Ben, who works in Kenilworth, faces long days during the run as he will be getting up at 3.30am to start his breakfast show as well as appearing in evening performances at the theatre.

He said: "It will be a tiring few weeks and I will need a lot of coffee to get me through it. It will give me the chance to see who I am talking to for a change."

* Tickets for the show are already selling fast. To book, call the box office on 334418 or visit www.royal-spa-centre.co.uk