Brian Blessed pulls out of Sleeping Beauty Panto

Richmond Theatre has confirmed that the actor Brian Blessed has had to pull out of this year's panto Sleeping Beauty after suffering breathing difficulties. He has been diagnosed with pulmonary odema and ordered to rest for three to four months

He was due to play the wicked wizard, but is now being replaced by ex Eastender Anita Dobson, as the more traditional Wicked Queen.

His daughter Rosalind Blessed is appearing in the spoof soap musical Legacy Falls at the New Players Theatre with previews starting tonight.