Actor and singer Jason Donovan will return to Norwich later this year when he stars in Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

The hit West End musical will play at the Theatre Royal between November 25 and December 7.

It tells the story of three friends who jump aboard a battered bus in the search for love and friendship, meeting a host of larger-than-life characters and learning lessons about themselves on their journey.

John Bultitude, of Norwich Theatre Royal, promised the winter show would be 'more glitzy and sparkly than Santa's grotto'.

He added: 'This show is guaranteed to blast away the winter blues with a high-energy show packed with feelgood moments.

'The addition of Jason Donovan will bring a splash of star quality to the show. His on-stage presence and superb singing voice will help make Priscilla Queen of the Desert one of the city's hottest tickets of 2013.'

Jason will reprise his West End role of Tick in the production and hope for the same rave reviews he won as Frank N Furter when The Rocky Horror Show cam to Norwich.

The role is the latest project for the 45-year-old, who last year reached the final of Strictly Come Dancing and has had a varied career taking in theatre, film and TV as well as selling 13m albums as a singer.

As well as Priscilla, his West End credits include the title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and on the small screen he has appeared in Neighbours, Echo Beach and I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!

Richard Grieve will play opposite Jason as Bernadette. Probably best known for playing Jonny Foster in Emmerdale, native Australian Richard also played Sam Kratz in Neighbours and Dr Lachlan Fraser in Home and Away. Stage veteran Graham Weaver reprises his West End role as Felicia.

Performances are nightly at 7.30, with Friday and Saturday matinees. No Sunday performances. Tickets £6.50-£42.50. See www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or call 01603 630000.