Dawn French has signed up to do pantomime.
Dawn French to take on the role of Dame Trott at the London Palladium pantomime
The 64-year-old star - who is known for playing Reverend Geraldine Granger on classic BBC comedy 'The Vicar of Dibley' - will take on the role of Dame Trott in 'Jack And The Beanstalk' at the London Palladium over Christmas 2022, having initially signed on to do the role back in 2019.
In a statement, she said: "We've waited two years!"
Dawn joins a host of famous faces who have become familiar to the West End theatre's pantomime roster over the last few years, including legendary comedian Julian Clary and ventriloquist Paul Zerdin.
Former 'Coronation Street' star Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot - who is currently starring as the Wizard of Oz in the London production of 'Wicked' - will also take to the stage this festive season as King Nigel and Queen Nigella respectively.
The 'French and Saunders' comedienne had initially played Wicked Queen in the Palladium's 2018 production of 'Snow White' alongside Julian as the Magic Mirror and 'Over the Rainbow' winner Danielle Hope in the title role but plans for Dawn to star in a second pantomime were scuppered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the intervening years, producer Michael Harrison presented the slimmed-down 'Pantoland' at the famous variety venue and promised that 'Jack and the Beanstalk' will be "spectacular" as Dawn takes on a role traditionally played by a man.
He told the Daily Mail: "[Dawn] had signed on for 'Jack' [after 'Snow White'] . Then the pandemic hit. [This year], the giant will be a huge animatronic one and sets will be spectacular. Dawn stuck with us until we were able to come back with a traditional panto title. We wanted to shake it up a bit. This time she will be a force for good."
'Jack and the Beanstalk' runs at the London Palladium from 10th December 2022 until Sunday 25th January 2023.
Tagged in Dawn French Julian Clary Nigel Havers