Swapping the Costa Blanca for Swansea Bay, Benidorm star Tony Maudsley is set to make wishes come true in this year’s Grand Theatre Pantomime in Swansea.

The actor will take to the stage in Aladdin, from Friday, December 15 joining the previously announced Kevin Johns MBE and Matt Edwards.

Following his acclaimed pantomime debut for producers Qdos Entertainment last year, Tony returns to the art-form and takes a break from the Benidorm hairdressing salon where he is best-known for playing the lovable Kenneth DuBeke in the long-running, award-winning ITV comedy.

Tony has been a series regular in the award-winning comedy series since 2011 and in that time won legions of fans thanks to his hilarious comedy, array of outlandish outfits and screen presence.

He has previously been nominated for Best Actor and Best Newcomer by the Royal Television Society, appeared on Sky Living’s The Spa and ITV’s Northern Lights and has starred as the inimitable musical theatre matriarch Edna Turnblad in a critically acclaimed UK tour of the musical Hairspray.

Tony also appeared in the Johnny Depp motion picture Sleepy Hollow, Vanity Fair alongside Reece Witherspoon, with David Suchet in Agatha Christie’s Poirot and in Bright Young Things, directed by Stephen Fry appearing alongside a roster of star names including Richard E Grant, Imelda Staunton, John Mills, Peter O’Toole and Michael Sheen.

Tony will be heading for sunnier Swansea climes and starring as the Genie of the Ring in this year’s forthcoming pantomime. Forced to do the bidding of the evil sorcerer Abanazar, he will embark on the adventure of a lifetime and make Aladdin’s wishes come true, winning the hand of the beautiful Princess and riches beyond his wildest dreams.

Speaking on his role, Tony Maudsley said: “After making my panto debut for Qdos Entertainment last year I’m honoured to have been asked back and delighted to play Swansea Grand this year. Swansea is such a great city and I can’t wait to spend the Christmas season there with Kev and Matt and the whole company. It’s going to be a fantastic show.

Aladdin will be at Swansea’s Grand Theatre from December 15 until January 14 2018.