An evil doctor who died last Christmas is set to be reincarnated as the marvelously vain Captain Hook in Bromley.

Actor Ace Bhatti, aka EastEnders’ wicked Dr Yusef Khan, is stepping into the dastardly role in Peter Pan at The Churchill Theatre.

This year’s star-studded pantomime also features Jennifer Ellison as the eternally youthful title character, and CBBC presenter Gemma Hunt as Tinker Bell.

Ace told News Shopper: “This is my first pantomime.

“I probably would’ve said no to the job had it not been Captain Hook.

“Playing that character is going to be a lot of fun – he’s an interesting baddy.

“With baddies you can be very boring, but he is vain and he’s got flaws which we all have.

“He thinks too highly of himself – he could be a king he thinks of himself in such high terms.

“He has never quite made it in his own head and won’t stop until he’s killed all the kids.”

Despite never appearing in panto before, Ace has been acting for 20 years.

He added: “I’m looking forward to it.

“Panto is the first experience most people have of the theatre so hopefully I will make an impression on a lot of kids.

“Peter Pan is lovely – it’s about children wanting to be believed and taken seriously and the adults are the people who don’t believe.

“It’s about the world it takes you to.

“We would all like to go to Neverland.”

Mainly working on TV and film projects, Ace says poor pay for actors in the theatre has kept him away from the stage during his career.

However, he is currently on tour starring in John Godber’s play Bouncers.

He added: “I would have ended up out of pocket doing the job in theatres.

“I think actors should be paid – just like a plumber should be paid for doing his job.

“Bouncers influenced me when I was young.

“I’ve come from a working class background (in Nottingham) and this was a play which made me think ‘someone like me could perhaps become an actor.’ “I’m really excited about this Christmas.”

Performances run between November 30 and January 6.

Tickets cost from £15 to £26.

For bookings call 08448 717 620 or visit atgtickets.com/bromley

Beautiful Jennifer Ellison, aka Peter Pan, tells us about the show

News Shopper: e

Blonde bombshell Jennifer Ellison is about to fly up, up and away to Neverland as the forever young Peter Pan.

The popular Scouser and yummy mummy is looking forward to spending Christmas in Bromley entertaining youngsters.

She said: “I would say I’m a kid at heart.

“I love to have fun and don’t take things too seriously.”

The former Brookside star and her family are currently looking for somewhere to live in Bromley during the show’s seven-week run.

She added: “My son (Bobby) will be watching – he knows mummy goes on stage but I don’t think he realises I’m Peter Pan yet.

“He loves swords and pirates.

“The story is a lot of fun – and there’s Tinker Bell for the dads.

“It’s going to be a great show.

“My director from Chicago is directing, so it won’t be a normal panto.”

After a stressful, and painful, stretch on Dancing on Ice, Jennifer is set to take a break after the pantomime.

She said: “It was terrifying.

“I became the first person ever in seven series to injure themselves live on air.

“I’m looking forward to a holiday.”