Wolverhampton panto star John Altman warms up with parrot

Actor John Altman put in some practise for his upcoming stint as Captain Hook in Wolverhampton Grand's panto with a parrot on his shoulder.

Rachel Doyle, who runs the EastEnders actor's website, tweeted the pic with the caption: "John Altman warming up with a parrot for his role as Captain Hook in Peter Pan @WolvesGrand He is the Pirate King!"

Speaking about his upcoming role, John said: "I have done plenty of pantomimes now, so I know all about having to learn your lines and all these songs in a short space of time. It is tough going but, of course, once you are on stage it is all worth it.

"Obviously, for me, it is another bad guy role to get stuck into. I imagine a little bit of Nick Cotton will slip in somewhere, that usually gets a response from the crowds."

John has recently been seen in leading roles in feature films On A Prayer and My Lonely Me but is probably best-known for his role as Nick Cotton in the BBC TV soap. He first appeared in 1985 and was finally killed off in February this year, concluding yet another tense storyline for one of the country's favourite bad guys.

Michael Harrison, managing director of Qdos Entertainment, which is producing this year's panto, said: "

John is a first-rate actor and to have him cast alongside the hilarious comedy talent of the Chuckle Brothers guarantees us another sensational season at the Grand Theatre."

Peter Pan runs at the Grand from December 12 to January 24.