A YOUNG actor from Cullingworth is flying high after being chosen to perform in Peter Pan.

William Campbell will play one of the Darling children, Michael, who heads to Neverland in the pantomime at Bradford Alhambra.

One of eight boys chosen during recent additions, he will share the role with Leo McDonnell from Horsforth.

Will Collier from Rothwell and Theo Francis from Embsay will share the role of Michael’s brother John.

They will appear on stage between December and February with a cast of professional adult performers and the locally-chosen children in the Sunbeams chorus.

There is also a reserve team of boys who were chosen on the day: Morgan Bass from Bingley; John Hudson from Guiseley; Dylan Miles-Davis from Idle; and Frazer Lee from Leeds.

Scores of boys attended open auditions organised earlier this month by panto producers Qdos Entertainment, with two teams eventually picked.

A Qdos spokesman said the standard of the youngsters auditioning was very high.

The boys, who will play the brothers of Peter Pan’s friend, Wendy Darling, were supported by actor Darren Day. The West End star, who will play Captain Hook, was present at the auditions.

Darren will share the panto stage with comedian Billy Pearce, who for many years has headed the cast of the hugely-popular annual show. This year he will be Captain Hook’s sidekick Smee.

Also in the cast are Emmerdale actress Charlie Hardwick, who is playing the magical mermaid, and former S Club 7 star Jon Lee, who is playing Peter Pan himself.

Charlie Hardwick played Val Pollard for several years in TV soap Emmerdale until the character’s death last summer.

S Club 7 singing star Jon Lee, who plays Peter Pan, made his professional stage debut aged 13 playing the title role in Oliver! at the London Palladium and appeared in EastEnders.

In 1999 he joined the acclaimed pop group S Club 7, which had four UK number one singles, recorded four studio albums and sold over 14 million albums worldwide.

The pantomime’s executive producer, Michael Harrison, said: “The casting of Charlie Hardwick and Jon Lee add further comedy and musical talent to our Alhambra pantomime.

“Peter Pan will be packed with special effects and will once again see us using 3D projection to bring the action right out into the auditorium.”

Peter Pan will run from December 17 to January 29. Visit bradford-theatres.co.uk or call 01274 432000 to book tickets.