In pictures: Alison Hammond joins Birmingham Hippodrome panto cast ahead of the Christmas show

She’s about to cheer our evenings with soggy bottoms and dough balls as co-host on the Great British Bake Off.

But our Brummie queen Alison Hammond took a break from her TV work this week to get ready for her first ever panto role at Birmingham Hippodrome.

Alison and fellow Jack and the Beanstalk cast members came together for the first time on Wednesday (September 20) to launch this year’s spectacular show. The cast took a trip to Birmingham Botanical Gardens where they had some fe-fi-fo-fun getting to know each other.

Alison is starring as the Spirit of the Beans, alongside Hippodrome favourite Matt Slack playing Jake Trot who is back for a tenth year; and star of stage and screen Samantha Womack as Mrs Blunderbore.

They are joined by Doreen Tipton as Doreen the Cow, panto dame extraordinaire Andrew Ryan as Dame Trot, Brummie local Alexanda O’Reilly in the title role and West-End performer Billie-Kay as Princess Jill.

Featuring stunning sets and costumes from The London Palladium, and bundle-loads of laughter, Jack and the Beanstalk is the panto Birmingham’s bean waiting for! Doomed to sell his trusty cow, join Jack and his family as they fight to outwit the evil giant, win riches beyond his wildest dreams.

When does the Birmingham Hippodrome panto start and how do I get tickets?

Jack and the Beanstalk will run at Birmingham Hippodrome from Saturday 16 December 2023 and will play until Sunday 28 January 2024.

Tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk can be booked here: Birmingham Hippodrome panto tickets or by calling 0844 338 5000* Please note: *0844 calls will cost you 4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.