EX-SOAP star John Altman plays the baddy again as the Christmas panto opens at the Lyceum theatre in Crewe on Friday.

Altman, who made his name in the BBC's flagship soap EastEnders as nasty Nick Cotton, continues his long association with director Charles Vance, in the production of Aladdin.

It is his second visit to the Lyceum, following a debut performance at the theatre in another of Vance's shows, A Worm's Eye View, in March.

The actor has become a big hit on the stage since his departure from EastEnders, starring in big budget shows such as Chicago and Bouncers.

He is joined by pianist Bobby Crush as Widow Twankey, Raine Davis, who plays Eve Birch in Emmerdale, as Princess Baldroubadour, and Vickie Gates, otherwise known as Leanne Powell in Brookside and as The Bill's Marilyn Chambers, plays Aladdin.

Altman, 53, said: 'Children should be afraid of Abanazar!'

This is his 18th pantomime and he added: 'I've done them all, except for a couple perhaps. There's not really a part for me in Sleeping Beauty, or in Cinderella - except as an ugly sister.

'I would rather play the baddy because they are more powerful. Abanazar is a great part to play. His role is magical and quite funny and very theatrical.'

Altman and the cast have spent the last week preparing for the show at the Yvonne's School of Dancing's studio in Flag Lane, Crewe, and he says he has got a surprise for the people of South Cheshire.

'I have already started to get into costume by growing a beard especially for the people of Crewe.

'They are quite lucky because I don't like beards.

'I have decided to grow it because it can be highly embarrassing if you wear a fake one and the glue comes off under the lights, and you're trying to remember your lines while holding the thing on.'

While former EastEnders star Sid Owen is hitting the headlines in ITV1's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, Altman admits he is quite happy doing what he is doing.

'I lived like that a few years ago while I was travelling the west coast of India, sleeping under the stars.

'I could do it but I would rather do some serious drama instead. But I did do a similar programme called Fear Factor, where I had to ride the wings of a plane at 5,000ft above Argentina.'

Any plans of an immediate return to EastEnders are on hold for the moment but Altman, who was last seen leaving Albert Square in disgrace, says he is more than ready to dust off Nick Cotton's famous leather jacket if needed.

He jokes: 'If the people of Crewe want to get a petition together and send it into the BBC saying they want me back, I would welcome a return.'

Aladdin opens on Friday and runs until Monday, January 2. For tickets, priced £9.50-£16.50, with family tickets available, call the box office on 01270 537333.