Joanna Lumley and Sheridan Smith join This Morning’s presenters to star in a ‘mash-up’ pantomime

Joanna Lumley and Sheridan Smith have led the stars joining the This Morning team to perform in a ‘mash-up’ pantomime performance.

The Absolutely Fabulous actress, 74, and Cilla star, 39, will join hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on stage for the virtual festive production.

The pantomime will support the struggling theatre industry after several pantos have been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus crisis and give viewers the opportunity to watch a fun performance from home.

It’s behind you! Joanna Lumley (pictured in character) and Sheridan Smith have led the stars joining the This Morning team to perform in a ‘mash-up’ pantomime performance 

The theatre industry has been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many venues still closed or reopening with reduced audiences  after being forced to shut their doors in March. 

Taking place on Friday 11 December, Joanna and Sheridan will also be joined by Christoper Biggins and Gyles Brandreth on stage.

The ‘mash-up’ will combine a collection of popular panto classics such as Dick Whittington, Jack and the Beanstalk, Peter Pan, Aladdin and Snow White – to name a few. 

The main storyline will see Holly, 39, star as Cinderella as she attempts to attend the This Morning Ball with her best friend, Buttons, played by Phillip, 58.

Oh no it isn't! The Absolutely Fabulous actress, 74, and Cilla star, 39, pictured, will join hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on stage for the virtual festive production

Oh no it isn’t! The Absolutely Fabulous actress, 74, and Cilla star, 39, pictured, will join hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on stage for the virtual festive production 

Support: The pantomime will support the struggling theatre industry after several pantos have been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus crisis and give viewers the opportunity to watch a fun performance from home (Holly and Phillip pictured)

Support: The pantomime will support the struggling theatre industry after several pantos have been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus crisis and give viewers the opportunity to watch a fun performance from home (Holly and Phillip pictured) 

Joanna will play the wicked step-mother on a ‘mission to destroy the fun’ with Sheridan starring as Peter Pan.   

Presenters Eamonn Holmes and his wife Ruth Langsford will be playing Santa and Mrs Claus with new Friday host Alison Hammond the fairy godmother.     

Kicking off with a performance from Britain’s Got Talent 2020 winner Jon Courtenay,  soap queen Sharon Marshall will play Dick Whittington and Christoper Biggins will star as Dame Sarah the Cook. 

Dr Ranj will play Genie of the Lamp in Aladdin with Gyles Brandreth taking on the character Widow Twankey.

Star-studded: Taking place on Friday 11 December, Joanna and Sheridan will also be joined by Christoper Biggins (pictured in November) and Gyles Brandreth on stage

Star-studded: Taking place on Friday 11 December, Joanna and Sheridan will also be joined by Christoper Biggins (pictured in November) and Gyles Brandreth on stage 

Fashion expert Lisa Snowdon will play Peter Pan’s Tinkerbell while Matthew Wright will star as Captain Hook.

Presenter Josie Gibson will perform as Snow White with Martin Lewis playing the Magic Mirror. 

Other characters include chef Phil Vickery as Dame Susie the Sous Chef, Alice Beer as Goldilocks and agony aunts, Deidre Sanders and Vanessa Feltz, as the two wicked step-sisters.

Talking about the fun performance, Joanna said: ‘All of us who appear in front of the audience are painfully aware of the desperate situation of everyone who makes shows and plays happen: the chorus and crowd artists and dancers… 

Ho, ho, ho! Presenters Eamonn Holmes and his wife Ruth Langsford will be playing Santa and Mrs Claus in the panto

Ho, ho, ho! Presenters Eamonn Holmes and his wife Ruth Langsford will be playing Santa and Mrs Claus in the panto 

‘And then backstage, choreographers and chorus masters, props and costumes and dressers, and writers… the list goes on and on. 

‘To be able to help them in any small way is a privilege and a pleasure; and I am thrilled that we shall be paying tribute to them in this sensational one-off pantomime. 

‘They don’t get any of the financial help that is being dished out across the country; so we must do our very best for them now when they need us most.’ 

Sheridan said: ‘The whole theatre and creative industries have been devastated by the virus and lockdown. 

Magic! New Friday host Alison Hammond the fairy godmother

Magic! New Friday host Alison Hammond the fairy godmother 

‘Hopefully doing this Panto with This Morning will provide some of these people much needed work and give everyone some hope and laughter for better times to come.’

With Christopher adding: ‘I’m thrilled to be part of the This Morning Panto. In these uncertain times, where productions are being cancelled all over, it’s good to be giving the country a pantomime that they can laugh at and find Christmas joy.’

Teasing what viewers can expect, This Morning editor, Martin Frizell said to expect ‘bad jokes, innuendos, singing and dancing’.

He quipped: ‘We will be throwing the nation’s best pantomime this year to bring some festive cheer to all our viewers. 

‘You can expect bad jokes, innuendos, singing and dancing as we bring you a panto like no other! It’ll all be Covid-secure, without losing the panto fun.’

Martin added that he is ‘thrilled’ This Morning was able to recruit panto crew members who have had their productions cancelled this year. 

This Morning’s Panto will air Friday 11 December from 10am on ITV. 

Lovely: Joanna said of the panto: 'To be able to help them in any small way is a privilege and a pleasure; and I am thrilled that we shall be paying tribute to them in this sensational one-off pantomime.' (pictured in November)

Lovely: Joanna said of the panto: ‘To be able to help them in any small way is a privilege and a pleasure; and I am thrilled that we shall be paying tribute to them in this sensational one-off pantomime.’ (pictured in November)