Tim Vincent, the youngest-ever presenter of Blue Peter, who now divides his time jetting between London and New York, will be diverting his magic carpet North to play the evil Abanazar in Aladdin.

It will be 'playing against type' for the TV star, who now works Stateside as a presenter and reporter for some of America's top entertainment shows, including Access Hollywood.

Tim has been interviewing A-list names for the entertainment primetime show, six nights a week for three years.

During his time in America, he was also the first Brit to host Who Wants To Be A Millionaire for ABC and was the host of Phenomenon, a five-part primetime series on NBC to find the next big psychic magician.

It was transmitted last November while Tim was preparing for Dancing On Ice for ITV1.

In the UK, Tim is currently the face of the The National Lottery EuroMillions Draw, which he presents on alternate Fridays on BBC1, and also hosts the National Lottery Xtra.

He has also appeared in Children's Ward, Dangerfield and Emmerdale, and on the stage in productions of Bouncers and Lady Chatterley's Lover.

He will be joined in Preston by two stalwarts from last year's Preston panto, Casey Lee-Jolleys – from TV's Beachcomber Bay and Coronation Street – and Paul Crone, the former Evening Post journalist who is now a roving reporter for Granada news.

This year's pantomime will run from Monday, December 1 to Sunday, January 4. It is sponsored by the Lancashire Evening Post and Rock FM.

Call the box office on 0845 344 2020 for ticket details and information.

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