A ventriloquist who has appeared on Britain's Got Talent and is a firm favourite with north Norfolk theatre-goers is returning to the county with a few surprises of his own.

Steve Hewlett is set to come to the Cromer Pier Pavilion Theatre for a one-off family-friendly show on Easter Monday -March 28 at 3pm.

Theatre goers will be entertained with some old favourites including Pongo the skunk and cheeky old man Arthur Lager.

And there will also be a few surprises in the show with some characters, including a guitar-playing puppet.

He said he hoped the timing of the show, during the afternoon, would appeal to the whole family.

He added: 'I cannot wait. I love it in Norfolk. People here are the greatest of audiences, they are very loyal. I know a lot of the faces in the audience here, it is like a family reunion coming back.'

Steve's Simon Cowell and Sinitta puppets helped make him one of the stand out acts when he was a finalist on Britain's Got Talent ITV programme in 2013.

Steve, from Eastbourne, first appeared on Cromer Pier in 2006 and has been a regular face there ever since.

The ventriloquist, who has been performing his act for more than 25 years, writes his comedy routines with wife Nina, 36. He is also inspired by his daughter Lola, four.

He said one of the hardest times in 2015 was losing his friend and mentor, ventriloquist Keith Harris, who performed with the puppet Orville.

At King Rat Rick Wakeman's Water Rat Ball in November 2015, Mr Hewlett was chosen to present Orville into the Water Rats museum.

Steve, 40, has himself now been voted into The Committee of The Grand Order of Water Rats. Last year he and Nina were invited to meet the Queen for the 125th anniversary celebrations of the group.

This year will be a busy one for Steve, who is expecting a second child in May this year and is also moving house, although the family are staying in Eastbourne, ready for Lola to start school.

Steve will also be embarking on a short tour in Basingstoke and Eastbourne in March, with one of his idols, American ventriloquist and comedian Ronn Lucas, whose puppets including Scorch the dragon.

To book for the Cromer show, call 01263 512495 or visit www.cromerpier.co.uk/whats-on.