They are the characters we all love to hate – oh yes we do! – and today the actors playing the villains in this year's Norwich Theatre Royal pantomime were revealed.

Bad Girls actor Helen Fraser, best known as the miserable prison warden Body Bag in the ITV show, will take on the role of the Evil Queen in Sleeping Beauty, while actor and comedian Tom Beard will play the queen's henchman.

Helen, who lives in Eye and is currently touring in the show Calendar Girls, said she was looking forward to taking on the role of the pantomime villain and performing close to her home.

'I love pantomime and the evil characters are so much fun – you get a great rapport with the children watching because they answer you back and shout at you!' she said.

'This will be my first pantomime at the Theatre Royal and I am really looking forward to it.'

Tom, who previously played Muddles the lovable idiot in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Theatre Royal three years ago, said he could not wait to appear in the show.

'I played a baddie last year for the first time and I really loved it so I want to stay bad forever now!' he said.

'I'm really looking forward to the show. The last time I was at the Theatre Royal was fantastic.'

Sleeping Beauty is at Norwich Theatre Royal from December 14 until January 15, 2012. Tickets cost from �5 to �19.

To book call 01603 630000 or visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk