WELL-LOVED cries of "He's behind you", followed by thigh slapping and the obvious pie throwing, are planned at Blackpool's Grand Theatre for its Christmas pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk.

The Grand's annual panto was launched with an abundance of stars, all destined to follow in the success of previous Christmas spectaculars.

The Grand has enjoyed many pantomimes which have broken box office records and this year's pan-tastic offering is expected to be just as popular.

Howard Antony - best known as Eastenders over-worked dad Alan Jackson - will be adding some of the eastend charm to the Blackpool stage.

But this is not his first time at the Grand. Howard graced the boards once before with the Theatre Clywd's production of Hamlet.

This time hisstage presence will be more showy than Shakespeare with a fantastic cast to drag panto's special brand of fun along.

Blackpool entertainer Tom Bright will be back where his heart is, on the stage, where he will play the Dame, a role he perfected last year.

Bernadette Nolan is also in the line-up along with Juliette Kaplin - Pearl from Last of the Summer Wine.

Summer at The Grand Theatre will be spent concentrating on its fast growing beanstalk and the hoped-for success of the pantomime.

Tickets are now on sale at the box office.

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