TWO former pop stars, who will entertain audiences throughout pantomime season, visited the North-East yesterday to launch a competition.

Boyband 911 vocalist Lee Brennan and former Honeyz singer Celena Cherry will be appearing in Peter Pan, alongside entertainers Cannon and Ball, at Darlington Civic Theatre over Christmas.

The pair are encouraging children to design a Peter Pan-inspired Christmas card. The winning design will be made into cards for the theatre and local Arts Centre.

Both singers are looking forward to the Darlington production, although they admit the move from pop stardom to pantomime has been daunting.

Lee, 30, said he went through a period of depression after the band stopped recording, but found his feet again as Peter Pan in Wolverhampton last year.

"Pantomime is a great family occasion. I'm quite a cool, cheeky Peter Pan - one that kids can relate to," he said.

Celena, 27, who has been involved in theatre studies and music since she was four years old, took her first singing lesson last month.

She will be playing the role of Tiger Lily, a red-Indian girl who has her own language.

"Singing on stage is so different than in a studio - you only have one chance to get it right," said Celena, who recently wrote a song for Victoria Beckham.

The cast will be starting rehearsals in November and performing between December 9 and January 23.

To enter the competition, children can send a colour design on A4 paper with their name, address and telephone number to Christmas Card Competition, Marketing Department, Darlington Arts Centre, Vane Terrace, Darlington DL3 7AX before October 22.

Published: 21/09/2004