Darlington Hippodrome panto stars have been spreading Christmas cheer at the town's Memorial Hospital.
Young patients on the children's ward were greeted by cast members from the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs production.
They have been handing out book tokens and selection boxes which have been donated by Waterstones Darlington and the Morrisons at Morton Park.
Pop and musical theatre star Gareth Gates heads the cast of the show, playing the Prince.
He has been supported by a stunning cast which Darlington audiences and reviewers have been giving five stars all-round.
The cast have also been visiting other locations around town including St Teresa's Hospice.
A Darlington Hippodrome spokesperson said: "Young patients and staff on the Children’s Ward at Darlington Memorial Hospital received a surprise visit from cast members of Darlington Hippodrome’s smash hit production Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
"Pop and musical theatre star Gareth Gates heads the cast of the family Christmas spectacular Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, playing the Prince. Gareth is joined by the The Chase’s Vixen Jenny Ryan as The Wicked Queen, the hilarious Josh Benson as Muddles, Marina Lawrence-Mahrra as Snow White, and Jamie Jones as Mrs Nelly Nightnurse.
"Supported by a full ensemble and, of course, the magnificent Seven, Darlington audiences and reviewers are giving the show five stars all-round.
"The cast handed out gifts of book tokens and selection boxes generously donated by Waterstones Darlington and Morrisons at Morton Park.
"Staged by Crossroads, the world’s biggest pantomime producer, and the team behind Darlington’s pantomimes since 1999, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs features all of the traditional pantomime ingredients Darlington audiences have come to expect in a fantastic new production of the well-loved story.
"Audiences should grab their tickets now. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs runs until Sunday 31 December at Darlington Hippodrome."
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Gareth Gates was the runner-up in the first series of ITV's Pop Idol in 2002.
In 2009, he decided to venture into musical theatre playing the title role of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at the Adelphi Theatre.
He has since played roles in musical productions of Les Miserables and Legally Blonde.
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