A pantomime has been slammed for announcing Delia Smith will star in show
The cook queen is set to star in Aladdin this Christmas.
She will star alongside former The Bill actress Lisa Maxwell.
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The honorary life president of Norwich City, 83, will take part in the production at Norwich Theatre Royal.
Delia will voice the Great Spirit of Norwich, as reported by What’s The Jam.
She declared: “I am delighted to join the Norwich Theatre panto and can’t wait for it to kick off.
“Pantomime is such a wonderful tradition and a fantastic opportunity to bring joy and laughter to our community.”
In 2005, Delia famously took to the pitch at half time in a Canaries fixture against Manchester City to berate Norwich’s fans, shouting: “We need a 12th man here.
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“Where are you? Where are you?
“Let’s be having you. Come on.”
Locals have been left baffled by her taking part.
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Billy Craddock said: “Definitely won’t be going to that then.”
And Tommy Ncfc Rump replied: “No neither will I.”
While Rich Lemongrower simply said: “Oh for f*cks sake.
“That’s ruined it.”
Danny Walker said: “Where are you?
“He’s behind you. Where are you? Let’s be avenue.”
Craig Johnson added: “Same answer to ‘It’s behind you’ as ‘Is there a chance of Norwich going up?’
“Oh no it isn’t.”
And Aaron Rutter said: “Let’s hope attendances won’t go down as quickly as the team does.”
But some did welcome Delia’s role.
Rachel McLeod said: “How cool is this.”
And Rachel Barrett exclaimed: “Excellent.”
It has been claimed that Smith’s television series Delia’s How to Cook led to a 10 per cent rise in egg sales in Britain and her use of ingredients or utensils could cause overnight sell-outs.
The Delia effect has become a phrase to describe a run on a previously poor-selling product as a result of a high-profile recommendation.
Chief executive and creative director of Norwich Theatre, Stephen Crocker said: “In every production of Aladdin the spirit is a hugely important part of the story as its presence and influence looks after.
“And guides the hero of the story on his journey towards his fame, fortune and happiness.
“As Delia and Michael come to the end of their time as the guiding spirits of Norwich City Football Club I couldn’t think of a more fun and appropriate way to mark this than to enrol Delia in the Norwich Panto Hall of Fame as the voice of the spirit in this year’s Theatre Royal Panto.
“I am so thrilled that she agreed with her usual sense of fun and in the Panto setting of Norwich on the Verge this Christmas her voice will play the role of the Great Spirit of Norwich. A Norwich icon in every sense.”
Aladdin opens at Norwich Theatre Royal on December 7 and runs until January 5.
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