BIG BROTHER star Dale Howard is heading to the region to appear in panto.

After his first festive show last year, Dale has signed up for Cinderella at the Stiwt Theatre in Rhos.

The personal trainer has forsaken London’s West End for his native St Helens in a bid to return to “a bit of normality” after a whirlwind couple of years in the limelight.

He said: “I did panto last year for LHK Productions and really enjoyed it.

“I know it sounds a bit clichéd but the whole cast was just like one big happy family from start to finish.

“It’s hard work, gruelling in fact. We get a couple of weeks rehearsals and then it’s into the shows.

“Last year I played the lead male role in Snow White so I suppose I have to say I have been relegated this year as I'm playing Dandini, Prince Charming’s servant.”

But being on stage at the Stiwt is likely to be a better experience than being in the news for other reasons, says Dale.

He said: “Being on Big Brother 9 was an amazing experience and was a brilliant thing for a 21-year-old to do.

“However, it was so easy to forget the cameras were on 24/7. You just don’t notice them and carry on life as normal.

“I have no regrets really, I loved every minute of it. It’s just that I did make a lot of mistakes when I came out of the house, especially when it came to women.

“It was me that messed up my much publicised romance with Chantelle Houghton who of course was a massive Big Brother hit in her own right.

“I was a silly, silly boy. Still, you learn your lesson.”

Dale will be starring in Cinderella alongside North Wales pop star Andy Scott Lee, who made the big time as a member of 3SL and also appeared on Pop Idol and reality MTV show Totally Scott Lee.

Alison Crawford plays Cinderella with Michael Chapman and Steve Davies as the Ugly Sisters.

Producer Lee Kelly said: “We were determined to capitalise on the success of last year’s panto by yet again producing Wrexham’s number one festive show at the Stiwt Theatre with an equally fantastic cast.”

Cinderella is at the Stiwt Theatre, Rhos, between Thursday, December 15 and Monday, January 2 with matinee and evening performances on most days.