HUNKY soap star and Dancing on Ice Champion Sam Attwater is set to glide onto the stage at The Palace Theatre, Redditch, this Christmas when he stars in the family favourite pantomime Beauty and the Beast.
Bringing a touch of swagger and cutting a dashing figure, actor and champion ice skater Sam will play Gaston, the local ladies man and wooer of our heroine Belle.
The star has been a regular fixture on TV screens since his first foray into soap land in 2009.
After completing his professional training at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, Sam landed his first TV gig playing Ricky in the popular Chester based soap Hollyoaks.
He then became a regular on EastEnders, stepping onto the infamous Albert Square as the effortlessly cool bad boy and lothario Leon Small. A student, who often bunked off school in favour of the boxing ring, Leon quickly earned a reputation as one of the square’s biggest womanizers, becoming involved in some of the soap’s biggest storylines in the process.
From the dramas of the East End to Dancing on Ice, Sam took part in the sixth series of the smash-hit skating show.
Over the ten week series he achieved top scores from the all-star judging panel and the viewing public alike, going on to spin, arabesque and butterfly jump his way into the final where he and his partner Brianne performed The Bolero in front of Jane Torvil and Christopher Dean and over nine million viewers at home.
They were crowned the winners with this final passionate performance winning them the hearts –and votes.
Due to Sam’s success he was invited back for the final ‘All Stars’ series in 2014 where he was paired with professional dancer Vicky Ogden. Finishing in fourth place their professional partnership came to a close but a whirlwind romance followed with the dancing pair tying the knot later that same year.
Among his many theatrical credits are leading performances in End of the Rainbow, Dreamboats and Petticoats, The Rocky Horror Show and Jason and the Argonauts to name just a few. With time spent treading the boards, in addition to his film work and a guest appearance in the popular ITV drama Mr Selfridge Sam has never been out of the limelight since he took his first steps onto the Hollyoaks set.
Pantomime producer Paul Holman said: “I am thrilled to have such a talented and accomplished actor taking the lead at the Palace Theatre. His years of showbiz experience will bring flair to this fabulous festive production.”
Beauty and the Beast opens on Monday, December 5, and plays till Saturday 31st December 2016. Tickets are available now from the box office (01527 65203) and online at www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk .
