THE full cast has been announced for this year’s sparkling University Concert Hall Panto, Peter Pan. Johnny Ward (Captain Hook), Fair City favourite, current RTÉ One’s Hell Week Special Forces contestant and grand finalist of RTÉ’s 2019 Dancing with the Stars, returns to Limerick this Christmas as the infamous Captain Hook.

One of the most recognisable TV stars in Ireland, Johnny impressed audiences with his courageous performance on RTÉ One’s Hell Week Special Forces, dazzled them on Dancing with the Stars and frightened them just a little as both Pauley in iconic series Love/Hate and mechanic turned kidnapper Ciaran Holloway in Fair City. He is also no stranger to live performance, starring as hilarious Dublin footballer Gino Wildes in Paul Howard’s smash hit Copper Face Jacks The Musical.

Johnny said: “I’m delighted to be returning to panto in Limerick! I had an absolute ball there in Aladdin in 2019 – audiences were amazing and really up for all the shouting and booing that I love as the baddie! Captain Hook is a brilliant character and I’m going to have great fun playing him in Limerick this Christmas ”

Panto favourites

Joining Johnny on stage will be longtime UCH panto favourites Richie Hayes (Smee) and Limerick’s own Myles Breen (Mrs.Smee). Both Richie and Myles will be celebrating their 10th UCH panto having starred in Cinderella in 2012, which was the first fully professional panto in Limerick, and going on to perform at the venue every year since, much to the delight of audiences.

The remainder of the principal cast were announced as John Sharpson, Evan O’Hanlon, Esther Brady and Hazel Park.