TICKETS are already selling fast as audiences prove they are hooked on a pantomime classic coming to mid Cheshire this year.

Starring X Factor finalist Christopher Maloney as the villainous Captain Hook and Big Brother star Nikki Grahame as the magical Tinkerbelle, Peter Pan will be performed at The Grange Theatre, in Hartford, from December 12 to January 2.

The production was officially launched on Thursday, when the costumed cast enjoyed a stroll around Hartford to get people talking.

Christopher, who shot to fame in the 2012 X Factor, said: "This is going to be the greatest panto ever and I'm so looking forward to it, I'm so excited to start.

"It's for the whole family to come and enjoy with lots of laughs, jokes, genuinely sad bits, evil bits – overall it's a fantastic family panto.

"I enjoy everything about panto, I love the audience, the interaction, all the boos and the 'oh no she didn't'.

"I went to lots of pantomimes growing up in Liverpool and I always said I would love to be in panto.

"Up until recently I always played the prince but, to be honest, playing someone evil is something so different I enjoy it more."

For Nikki, who first entered the Big Brother house in 2006 and re-entered in 2010 for Ultimate Big Brother, this year's panto gives her chance to achieve a dream.

"I've always always wanted to do Peter Pan because I've always wanted to be Tinkerbelle because I get to fly," she said.

"I love Peter Pan, he reminds me of me because he's the boy who never grew up.

"I'm going to love it.

"It's seeing all the families coming in and the kids getting ready for Christmas.

"It's a real family environment as you all become so close in the cast and production – it's just a lovely lovely atmosphere at Christmas time."

Peter Pan, by Strictly Productions working in conjunction with The Grange Theatre, also stars Shelley Anne Rivers as Wendy Darling, Benjamin Joseph as Peter Pan and Danny Mills as the outrageous Mrs Smee.

Paul Edwards, from The Grange Theatre, said he was amazed by how popular the panto was already proving.

"It's the biggest box office we've had," he said.

"It's already record breaking.

"The Grange pantomime has been here since 2009 but this is a different realm."

The show is also working in conjunction with Hartford restaurant Chime to offer panto-goers 20 per cent off their total bill at the restaurant.

Tickets for Peter Pan are available by ringing the box office on 0333 666 3366 or visiting thegrangetheatre.com/boxoffice.