TV FUNNYMAN Keith Chegwin has been announced as the star of this year’s pantomime at the Wyvern Theatre.

Keith, star of television, radio, stage and film, will be starring as the loveable Buttons in Cinderella, which runs from December 10 to January 8.

And the eccentric star, pictured, who is commonly known as Cheggers, said he is delighted to be spending the festive season in the town.

“I am so looking forward to spending my Christmas with the people of Swindon,” he said.

“I love a good family panto - loads of laughs and I promise not sing too much. However, I might tap dance, move over Ann Widdecombe.

“I just can’t wait for it to get started, wish I could buy a ticket to watch it.”

Theatre director Derek Aldridge said the event promised to be a hit with viewers, both old and young.

“We are delighted to announce Keith Chegwin as our star for this year’s pantomime,” he said.

“The Wyvern Theatre has a great track record of producing some great up-beat pantomimes for all the family to have a fantastic night out, and this year promises to be the best yet.”

Keith started his early career on the West End Stage and appeared in numerous films including Polanski’s Macbeth.

He then went on to start his long career in children’s television where he became a household name.

For 11 years, he was the face of Saturday morning TV as one of the main presenters of Multi-Coloured Swap Shop and Saturday Superstore, as well as his own iconic kids show Cheggers Plays Pop.

Keith has been a regular face on TV ever since, including presenting The Big Breakfast for two-and-a-half years and then GMTV, which he worked on for seven years, knocking on more than 250 doors from Land’s End to John O’Groats during his famous cash giveaways.

In 2006, he returned to acting when he appeared in the TV series Extras opposite Ricky Gervais and Orlando Bloom.

Ricky, star and creator of Extras, said: “The one cameo in the whole series that is amazing and brilliant is Keith Chegwin.”

Last year’s pantomime, Peter Pan, was a record-beating production for the Wyvern with 98 per cent of seats sold for the whole run.

And this year is on course to be another one of the records books, with ticket sales already up 2,000 seats compared with the same time last year.

Tickets, which start at £14.50, are available by calling the box office on 01793 524481 or by logging on to www.wyverntheatre.org.uk.