Who is Gary Lucy? All you need to know about the main face of Sunderland Empire's festive pantomime

The Sunderland Empire Theatre has announced the star name who will be playing the main role and entertaining crowds in the site’s pantomime production this year.

Former The Bill, Footballers’ Wives and Hollyoaks star Gary Lucy will be playing the villainous Abanazar, in the Empire’s panto production of Aladdin.

What TV shows has Gary Lucy been in?

Born in Essex, Lucy’s first big roles came through Grange Hill and the first series of Sky’s Dream Team, the latter of which got him significant attention in the role of Gary Roscoe.

From 1999 until 2002 he joined the cast of Channel 4 mainstay Hollyoaks where he played Luke Morgan in the soap as well as two spin-off shows.

This role propelled Lucy to success with the actor winning the Best British Newcomer award at the 2000 British Soap Awards and was a position he returned to between 2017 and earlier this year.

He then went on to work as part of the cast in three series of Footballers’ Wives before starring alongside Ray Winstone in the ITV drama She’s Gone.

Returning once again to ITV screens in 2005, Lucy played Will Fletcher in the hugely popular police drama The Bill for five years.

Since his time on The Bill ended, Lucy has spent time as Danny Pennant on Eastenders as well as making various one or two episode appearances across shows such as Casualty and The Dumping Ground as well as being a contestant on the 2014 all-star series of Dancing On Ice.

What dates is Sunderland Empire’s pantomime running?

The opening night of the production of Aladdin will be on Friday, December 9 and will run every day until Monday, January 2 with the exception of Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Monday, December 12 and Monday, December 19. Some days have afternoon and evening showings while others only have one show throughout the day.

Where can I get tickets to Sunderland Empire’s pantomime?

Tickets start from £13 and are available for throughout the show’s run.

Online purchasing is available through the theatre’s official ticket portal or over the phone.