Mel Giedroyc has announced she is pulling out of her upcoming pantomime for “personal reasons”.

The 54-year-old had been due to star in a touring production of Mother Goose alongside Sir Ian McKellen and John Bishop.

But in a statement on Wednesday, she said: “Due to personal reasons, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the forthcoming production of Mother Goose.

“I am thankful to the producers of the show for being so understanding and wish everyone involved in the production a fantastic tour throughout the UK and Ireland.

“Now, more than ever we all need a bit of joy, and I can’t wait to see it myself. I know it is going to be fantastic.”

The former Great British Bake Off host was set to play the lead role.

Written by Coronation Street’s Jonathan Harvey and directed by Cal McCrystal, the show tells the story of Mother Goose and her husband Vic, who run an animal sanctuary and live a wholesome life inside an abandoned Debenhams department store until their lives are turned upside down by the arrival of a goose.

Dwayne Johnson addresses Liz Truss turmoil at Black Adam premiere: ‘Are you ready for another Johnson prime minister?’

Mercury Prize: Little Simz wins prestigious award with album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert

James Corden has restaurant ban lifted after ‘apologising for abusive behaviour’

ATG Productions confirmed Giedroyc’s role is being re-cast and sent “love and best wishes” to her and her family.

It is due to open at the Theatre Royal Brighton from 3 to 11 December before a West End run at the Duke of York’s Theatre between 15 December and 29 January.

Related posts:

Seth Rogen says Emma Watson did not ‘storm off set’ during This Is The End cannibal scene Kanye West premieres new album in Atlanta – including Jay-Z surprise feature Tilly Ramsay hits back at radio host who called her ‘chubby little thing’ You won’t be able to shuffle songs from Adele’s new album on Spotify – here’s why Khashoggi’s fiancee in plea to Bieber: ‘Do not sing for the murderers of my beloved Jamal’ Brit Awards scrap male and female categories – as music event ‘aims to be as inclusive as possible’ Neil Diamond becomes latest musician to sell rights to entire back catalogue ‘Absolute rockstar’: Thousands attend Shane Warne memorial as Kylie and Elton lead tributes ‘True courage’ – the pop star who used his final months to help others Chris Rock breaks silence on slap by Will Smith at Oscars as he returns to the comedy stage Fantastic Beasts star Ezra Miller accused by Hawaii couple of ‘bursting’ into bedroom and ‘threatening’ them after arrest Little Simz, It’s A Sin and We Are Lady Parts scoop South Bank Sky Arts awards