A GAGGLE of stars from stage and screen gathered in Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens this week. It can only mean that this year's Bournemouth Pavilion pantomime is coming to life.

Snow White (December 5 – January 3) will feature EastEnders actress Gillian Wright who has been confirmed to play the Wicked Queen alongside former Albert Square heartthrob Matt Lapinskas as the dashing Prince. Not to mention children’s television favourite Olivia Birchenough as the eponymous Snow White.

Matt Lapinskas, 26, said: “This is my third pantomime and I’ve got no nerves at all about being on stage. It’s a full-on family show and I know the area well through friends in Poole.”

The actor graced Albert Square with both good looks and a cheeky-chappy persona in the role of Anthony Moon between 2011 and 2012. Matt, who is also known for finishing as the runner-up in the eighth series of Dancing On Ice in 2013, will be reunited with Gillian Wright, better known as Jean Slater in Eastenders, who will be armed with a poisoned apple as The Evil Queen, stepmother of Snow White.

“Strangely, I remember that the first ever scene I filmed for EastEnders was with Gillian. I think I was buying some chewing gum in the market!” added Matt.

Gillian and Matt will be joined on stage by a bubbly actress Olivia Birchenough as Snow White. Olivia is known for presenting Channel 5's children show Milkshake!, and the channel's Bop Box series.

Parents and children will be most familiar with her boundless enthusiasm as one of the regular Milkshake! presenters, where her role is to introduce the likes of Peppa Pig or the Little Princess or Fifi Forget-Me-Not, while also entertaining early-rising children with cheery smiles and energetic dance routines.

Olivia said: “This is actually my third time playing Snow White. I grew up watching pantomimes, so it’s great to be on stage. When we film Milkshake it’s just a camera and us, where as when you’re on stage you can see everyone’s faces. For kids it’s usually the first time they’re in a theatre and it usually goes one of two ways; they’re either ecstatic or totally engrossed.”

Also on stage will be stand-up comedian Noel Brodie who returns from playing Smee in last year’s Pavilion panto Peter Pan and Quinn Patrick as the obligatory comic dame.

With over 3,000 tickets sold already, Snow White is set to this be another brilliant pantomime at Bournemouth Pavilion. With a fabulous cast accompanied by seven mischievous dwarves, there should be plenty of fun and frolics at this year's winter treat. Tickets are on sale now.

: For more information please call the BH Live Tickets on 0844 576 3000, book online at bhlivetickets.co.uk or visit the BIC or Bournemouth Pavilion Ticket Office in person.