SHANE Richie has been announced as the panto star for the Wycombe Swan for the second year running.

The Eastenders star played Buttons in Cinderella last Christmas and this year will play Dick Whittington.

The panto season will be a week shorter this year and begins on December 13 and will run until January 4.

Shane, who plays Alfie Moon in the BBC1 soap, was also the panto star at the Swan in 2009, when he played Aladdin.

Dick Whittington is produced by Qdos Entertainment, which has established a reputation for staging large-scale productions.

Simon Stallworthy, theatre director at Wycombe Swan said: "Audiences in Wycombe loved Shane’s unique and very funny performance as Buttons last year, and he clearly loved being here.

"He has a real warmth as a performer and establishes a great relationship with the audience. He’s one of the top pantomime performers in the country and we are thrilled to be welcoming him back to the Swan this year."

Tickets are already on sale from www.wycombeswan.co.uk or 01494 512000.

What do you think about Shane Richie returning to the Wycombe Swan for another panto season? Leave your comments below.