EastEnders star Steve McFadden has signed up to appear in pantomime again this Christmas.
The actor, best known for his role as Walford hard man Phil Mitchell, has been confirmed for a festive production of Jack and the Beanstalk.
Steve has landed the villainous role of Fleshcreep in the Christmas show, which will be staged at The Hawth theatre in Crawley, West Sussex.
The show takes place between December 13 and January 5.
Buy tickets to see Steve McFadden in panto
Last September, it was reported that EastEnders cast could be banned from taking part in pantomimes this year to avoid any absences during the BBC soap's 40th anniversary celebrations.
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The Walford show's milestone episodes will air in February 2025, so will likely be filmed in December.
However, an EastEnders insider told Digital Spy this week that cast requests to take on other projects are still considered on a case-by-case basis. Show bosses weigh up storyline plans, how much notice has been given and the commitment required before making any decision.
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Fans shouldn't have to worry too much about Phil disappearing from our screens, as Steve's panto dates mainly fall within EastEnders' annual Christmas production break. Cast and crew typically take two weeks off during the festive season.
An EastEnders spokesperson told Digital Spy: "All cast are able to undertake other projects if it can be accommodated within our filming schedules."
EastEnders' executive producer Chris Clenshaw recently updated fans on plans for the 40th anniversary, hinting that faces from the past could appear.
He also confirmed that plans for Christmas 2024 are "well under way", with various interconnecting storylines in the mix.
EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.
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