The start of this year’s Marlowe Theatre pantomime is just two weeks away – but its star is still to arrange where he will be staying in the city.

Scott Maslen, best known as Jack Branning from EastEnders, heads the cast of this year’s Aladdin performance but the former model is unsure where he will be living in Canterbury for the show’s seven week stint.

Rehearsals for this year’s performance started yesterday before it opens on Friday, November 28, and runs until Sunday, January 11.

But Scott, who drove in from London for rehearsals and will play baddy Abanazar, said: “I haven’t booked anywhere yet strangely enough – I’m very bad with organisation!”

He joked: “I will be staying in Canterbury no doubt, so if anyone out there has got a spare room and wants put Maslen up, get in contact with KM, it would be very much appreciated.”

Scott, who stepped away from his popular EastEnders role last year, will be joined in the Evolution Pantomimes production by children’s TV favourite Phil Gallagher as Wishee Washee, best known as Mister Maker.

It will be Scott’s second panto appearance after he debuted in Bournemouth last year, and the 43-year-old is looking forward to another Christmas spent on stage.

He added: “With pantomime you have to embrace it, you have to really have fun and push yourself.

“It’s a great excuse to go out there and camp it up. It’s not naturalism by any stretch – we go out there, work it, and do the best job we can.”

"It’s a great excuse to go out there and camp it up..." - Scott Maslen

Last year’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk – starring EastEnders actress Samantha Womack and Phil Gallagher – was watched by a record total audience of 90,394.

As well as the returning Phil Gallagher, Ben Roddy and Lloyd Hollett will also be back at the Marlowe, as the dame Widow Twankey and PC Pongo.

Tickets from £11. Visit www.marlowetheatre.com or call 01227 787787.