Press Contact: Gemma Barriball
May 2026
Theatre Royal Plymouth and Crossroads Pantomimes, the world’s biggest pantomime producer, previously announced that pop icon and stage star Will Young will headline this year’s pantomime as The Fairy Godfather in Cinderella, running from Friday 4 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.
The theatre announced further casting for the show, with Will joined by breakfast TV favourite and Hollywood correspondent Ross King as Buttons.
Ross King MBE has a career spanning stage, screen, radio, and literature. A four-time News Emmy winner, he is best known as the Los Angeles Correspondent for ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, and in the US has appeared as a World Judge on CBS’s The World’s Best, hosted The Hollywood Christmas Parade and the Critics Choice Movie Awards Red Carpet, and spent six years as Entertainment Anchor on KTLA. His stage work includes West End productions such as The Rocky Horror Show, Dick Whittington at Sadler’s Wells, Night of Stars at The London Palladium, and creating the role of Wallace in Summer Holiday, alongside performances in Las Vegas, at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood, and aboard the Queen Mary 2. His film credits include The Day After Tomorrow, Half Past Dead, and Cruel Game.
Ross has also presented award-winning radio shows, has co-written three bestselling novels and was a contestant in the 2025 line-up of Strictly Come Dancing. In recognition of his achievements, he received an MBE from Her Majesty The Queen in 2018 and the President’s Award from the Los Angeles British-American Business Council in 2020.
On his casting Ross King said:
“I absolutely love pantomime, and it’s a real privilege to be able to return home to the UK at Christmas to share this magical tradition with audiences old and new. Will Young is a fantastic entertainer and I know that we’re going to have a lot of fun on stage together, I can’t wait!”
Cinderella is staged by Crossroads Pantomimes, the world’s biggest pantomime producer and the team behind recent Theatre Royal Plymouth Christmas successes including last year’s production of Dick Whittington. Crossroads Pantomimes Chief Executive Michael Harrison, said:
“I’m so pleased that we’re able to welcome Ross King to Theatre Royal Plymouth alongside Will Young. Ross reprises the role of Buttons following a hugely successful season with us last Christmas in Southend-on-Sea. The combination of Will and Ross will deliver a truly magical Christmas treat for Plymouth audiences of all ages.”
James Mackenzie-Blackman, Chief Executive and Artistic Director at Theatre Royal Plymouth said:
“From the beaches of Santa Monica to the waves crashing onto Plymouth Hoe we’re delighted to welcome Ross King to Plymouth this Christmas to star in Cinderella, alongside Will Young. Ross is a true TV legend who has graced our screens for decades. We look forward to welcoming him to PL1.”
Packed with all of the traditional pantomime ingredients Theatre Royal Plymouth audiences expect, Cinderella features laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses.
Cinderella will play at Theatre Royal Plymouth, from Friday 4 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. Tickets are available from www.theatreroyal.com