Rob Rinder and Neil Hurst are first stars announced for Nottingham Theatre Royal Nottingham panto

And the venue has also announced the return of much-loved comedian Neil Hurst, who will star as Simon Trot in the production, which runs from November 28 until January 3.

Rob Rinder MBE is a barrister, broadcaster and Sunday Times bestselling author who first came to fame in the show Judge Rinder.

His participation in Who Do You Think You Are? retraced the story of his Holocaust survivor grandfather and received a BAFTA.

The BBC series he presented, My Family, The Holocaust, and Me, aired to critical acclaim and in 2020, he was awarded an MBE for his services to Holocaust education.

Rob has since gone on to curate and present a broad range of widely viewed and notable documentaries.

In 2024, Rob paired up with Rylan to present the docuseries Rob & Rylan’s Grand Tour for BBC Two, with the hugely popular series earning the duo a BAFTA.

In 2025 the highly-anticipated follow-up series Rob and Rylan’s Passage to India aired, receiving widespread recognition.

Called to the bar in 2001, Rob went on to specialise in cases involving murder and financial crime, while working in media to make law more accessible.

Inspired by his experiences as a barrister, Rob’s novels The Trial, The Suspect and The Protest are Sunday Times bestsellers.

Neil Hurst returns to the Theatre Royal following a hugely successful season in last year’s Cinderella, where he proved a firm favourite with Nottingham audiences.

Best known for his TV roles in The Syndicate and Fresh Meat, Neil also co-hosted ITV’s All-Star Family Fortunes, appeared in BBC’s The ABC Murders and has featured in family favourites such as Coronation Street, All Creatures Great and Small and Casualty.

Before appearing in Nottingham last Christmas, Neil was the resident panto comic at Hull New Theatre, as well as touring the UK in musicals including The Full Monty and Hairspray!.

Jack and the Beanstalk will be produced by the world’s biggest pantomime producer, and the team behind last year’s production of Cinderella, Crossroads Pantomimes.

Michael Harrison, chief executive, said: “I’m delighted to be announcing the first stars for this year’s Nottingham pantomime.

"Rob Rinder is a much-loved part of our panto family and has recently headlined pantos in Bristol, Southend, Milton Keynes and Woking, bringing real flair and presence to the stage.

"Neil Hurst returns following a hugely successful season in Nottingham last year and guarantees laugh-out-loud comedy for all the family.

"Together, they promise a spectacular, high-energy Jack and the Beanstalk that’s not to be missed this Christmas.”

Dan Baxter, interim venue director at the Theatre Royal, added: “We are proud to announce Rob Rinder for this year's family pantomime.

"It'll be great to see such a well-loved TV personality here at the Theatre Royal this Christmas.

"Neil Hurst was such a hit for us last year, he's a brilliant comedy performer and a true panto pro.

"We're sure that our audiences will be thrilled to see him on the bill again for Jack and the Beanstalk."

Further star casting will be announced later this year.

Visit www.trch.co.uk or call 0115 9895555 for tickets.