A former Emmerdale star who went on to wow the crowds with her skating skills on Dancing On Ice is to play Sleeping Beauty in this year's Norwich Theatre Royal pantomime.

Hayley Tamaddon is taking on the lead role in the pantomime which runs from December 14 to January 15 and also stars Kevin Sacre, who played Jake Dean in Hollyoaks, and Helen Fraser, best known as 'Bodybag' in Bad Girls.

Hayley first shot to fame playing the role of feisty Delilah Dingle in the ITV soap Emmerdale, before being crowned the 2010 winner of the celebrity skating show Dancing on Ice.

She was last seen on the Norwich Theatre Royal stage in autumn 2010 when she appeared in the show Spamalot.

On the small screen she has also appeared in the programmes Waterloo Road, Shameless, The Royal and Where The Heart Is, and her theatre work includes The Rocky Horror Show, Mamma Mia, Boogie Nights, Grease, Fame and A Chorus Line.

John Bultitude, from Norwich Theatre Royal, said: 'Hayley is going to bring an added dash of style and star quality to this year's production. Her extensive on-stage experience and stunning voice will help to make Sleeping Beauty a key part of everyone's Christmas calendar.'

This year's Norwich Theatre Royal pantomime is sponsored by Almary Green and is once again being written and directed by pantomime veteran Richard Gauntlett, who will also be donning a wide range of frocks when he stars as Nurse Pickle in this year's festive production.

Tickets for Sleeping Beauty cost between �5 and �19. For more information about the pantomime and other shows at the theatre visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or call 01603 630000.

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