Eastenders actor Sid Owen, famous for playing the hapless Ricky Butcher will topline Theatre Royal Bath's Christmas 2004 pantomime, it has recently been announced.

Sid will play not Ricky, but Richard Whittington in Dick Whittington, due to run from Thursday 16th December 2004 to Sunday 23rd January 2005.

The actor first joined EastEnders in 1988 aged 16. Over the past 15 years the nation has followed the ups and downs of Ricky's life, which was never going to be easy being the son of Frank Butcher and brother of Janine, let alone marrying Sam Mitchell then Bianca Jackson! Recently Ricky finally decided to leave Albert Square for good after becoming fed-up with his sister's scheming antics.

Sid has also enjoyed moderate pop chart success, his single 'Good Thing Going' released in 2000 reached number 14 in the UK Top 40.

Alongside Sid, panto dame veteran Chris Harris, makes a return to Bath this Christmas to direct the fun-for-all-the-family show and star as Sarah the Cook.

Chris is very familiar to Bath audiences, having starred in panto there for the past three years. Last year he starred as Dame Trott in Jack and the Beanstalk, in 2002 audiences enjoyed his Nurse Nellie in Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood, and in 2001, he wowed Bath audiences as Dame Widow Twankey in Aladdin.

Award-winning stand-up comedian and presenter Jon Monie returns to Bath by public demand this Christmas as he plays the role of Idle Jack. Jon has starred in previous pantomimes at the Theatre Royal including his role as Ben, the dastardly robber, in Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood in 2002, the zany Police Sergeant in Aladdin in 2001, and in Cinderella in 1996.

Details of further casting for Dick Whittington will be announced soon.

With its 'rags to riches' tale of the young Richard Whittington who travels to London to seek his fortune accompanied by his cat, Dick Whittington remains one of the most popular pantomimes. Theatre Royal Bath has an established reputation for traditional, family pantomime, and following last year's well-received show Jack and the Beanstalk, audiences can look forward to another exceptional seasonal treat suitable for children and adults alike.

Dick Whittington runs at Theatre Royal Bath from Thursday 16th December 2004 to Sunday 23rd January 2005. Tickets will go on sale for telephone and counter bookings on Monday 17th May and can be obtained via the Box Office on 01225 448844.