STARS have visited the North-East to promote a pantomime.

Darlington pop idol Zoe Birkett will be returning to her home town when she stars in Beauty and the Beast at Darlington Civic Theatre later this year.

She will starring alongside comedy legends Robin Colvill and Graham Walker, aka The Grumbleweeds, when she takes the lead role of Belle.

Yesterday, Miss Birkett and The Grumbleweeds visited Walworth Castle, near Darlington, to promote the pantomime.

The pantomime will be Miss Birkett's first starring role on stage since she hit the headlines four years ago as a 16-year-old singing sensation on the ITV show Pop Idol, where she was the last remaining female finalist.

She said: "I really can't wait, I'm really excited about it.

"I've never done pantomime before and I think it's going to be such a laugh. I'm also looking forward to coming home and spending some time with my family."

Beauty and the Beast runs at the theatre from Friday, December 9, to Sunday, January 22.

Tickets start at £10, available from the box office.

Two top names will also be performing at the theatre this week in The Unexpected Man, which is written by award-winning playwright Yasmina Reza, best known for the successful play Art.

The comedy is touring in the UK for the first time and stars Peter Bowles, best known for his roles in To The Manor Born, The Bounder and Perfect Scoundrels, and who has recently been performing in London's West End.

The play also stars Sian Phillips, who is best remembered for the classic BBC1 series I, Claudius and the David Lynch film Dune.

The show opened yesterday and is playing at the civic theatre for one week. For more information about tickets for the show, call the box office on (01325) 486555.

Published: 09/06/2005