EASTENDERS' star Letitia Dean is to follow the footsteps of her screen mum - and tread the boards in panto at Ipswich.

EASTENDERS' star Letitia Dean is to follow the footsteps of her screen mum - and tread the boards in panto at Ipswich.

Letitia, who played Sharon Watts in the popular soap, will follow Anita Dobson who played Sharon's mum Angie Watts.

While Anita was cast as the wicked queen in last year's pantomime Snow White at the Regent Theatre, Letitia will play the more appealing role of the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella this Christmas.

The former EastEnders, Grange Hill and 80s pop singer will play the spellbinding character in the show from December to January.

A spokesperson for the Regent said today: “We are thrilled, thrilled, thrilled that Letitia is going to be in the show and I think she will make a fantastic fairy godmother.

“I think her popularity in Ipswich will lend itself to what will ultimately be a star studded cast. She is the first to sign on the dotted line.”

She added: “It's a big of a coincidence that a screen daughter will follow her screen mum here! Anita was fantastic last year and both ladies have an excellent reputation in terms of pantomime performances. In understand Letitia is very pleasant to work with, as was Anita, so it will be a pleasure to have her in Ipswich for six weeks.”

The magical fairytale has it all, from the beautiful heroine Cinderella and stunning Prince Charming to the hilarious Buttons and outrageous Ugly Sisters.

The show promises to feature glittering scenery, lavish costumes - and even real Shetland ponies!

It will be produced by Duo Entertainment and Ipswich Borough Council, and will run from December 14 to January 16, 2008, with matinees and evening performances.

Tickets can be purchased by phoning 01473 433100 or online at www.IpswichRegent.com.

Letitia's dad Leslie Dean made costumes for the Bay City Rollers.

Born: November 14, 1967

Lived: In Hatfield where her family rented a cottage belonging to Dame Barbra Cartland - who presented Letitia's mother with an old wooden door to help her posture during labour!

Career: Letitia studied at the the Sylvia Young Theatre School, also attended by fellow EastEnders Adam Woodyatt and Perry Fenwick. At age 11, Letitia made her first TV break on Grange Hill. At her audition for EastEnders she stated that she was a born and bred eastend girl, a small white lie which luckily landed her the part.

Brief pop career in the 1980s when her song Something Outta Nothing with Paul Medford charted at number 15.

Various television roles, in ITV's Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married, the BBC's The Hello Girls and in the theatre in Loot alongside fellow EastEnder Michael Elphick.

After being away from EastEnders for six years, she made a return as the Queen Vic's landlady.

Loves: Once dated comedian, Ed Byrne. Married Jason Pethers in 2002 when her best friend Susan Tully from EastEnders, was bridesmaid.

source: www.letitia.shannis.com/Letitia.html