Panto may have lost its Peter Pan

A desperate search for a new Peter Pan to star in Wolverhampton's Christmas pantomime could soon be on – because the lead actor is one of the finalists on TV talent show X Factor.

Aston Merrygold, who is due to star alongside The Krankies and Paul Nicholas at the Grand Theatre, is in boyband JLS which was last week selected as one of the final 12 acts on the hit ITV programme.

The 20-year-old is due to take to the live stage on Saturday night and will perform each week unless the public vote the four-strong group off.

Theatre bosses are waiting to hear from panto managers Qdos to discover if Aston, of Peterborough, will be quitting the role – seven weeks before the run starts on December 6.

Iain Watkins, marketing manager at the Grand, confirmed a new Peter Pan may have to be cast.

Aston, from Peterborough, previously appeared on CITV's Fun Song Factory as Cookie the chef.