FRESH from touring the country with an open air production of Wind in the Willows, Ben Sherlock is set to go head-to-head with the Chase star Anne Hegerty after landing the title role in Jack and the Beanstalk.

It will be Ben’s first foray in to the world of panto, as he says: “I haven't done panto before.

“I'm not the cheesiest of people so I'll probably be cringing at myself internally but it's all fun.

“I really liked the look of the company which always makes an actor feel comfortable in what they're doing.

“Wind in the Willows had plenty of audience interaction so I think that'll prepare me for what's to come.”

“I’m really looking forward to getting started and working with some familiar faces.”

And he’s hoping there might be some added benefits of having brain box Anne as a fellow cast member when she stars as Fleshcreep at Ellesmere Port Civic Centre, Heywood Civic Centre and Radcliffe Civic Centre this Christmas.

He adds: “Apparently she's great fun to work with. Hopefully she'll come along to a pub quiz, I might have a chance with her on my team.”

But it’s not the only thing in the pipeline for Ben, who will soon be in front of the camera for a worthy cause as well as on stage.

“I'll be shooting a short film for the Teenage Cancer Trust within the next couple of months.

“It's important to get a mix of stage and screen as actors can so often be pigeon holed, ultimately restricting the work you can get.

“It’s wonderful to be working for such an amazing charity too.”