Gary Lucy is on a mission to 'make kids cry' in Sunderland this Christmas as he makes quite an impression as villain Abanazar in Aladdin at the Empire.
Gary is best known to TV viewers as Luke Morgan in Hollyoaks, the character at the centre of a groundbreaking male rape storyline, b3efore going to play Eark's Park star striker Kyle Pascoe in much talked about ITV drama Footballers' Wives. After returning to Hollyoaks a few years ago, Gary made a shocking exit from the soap in the summer, as Luke plummeted to his death, whilst on holiday with wife-to-be Cindy.
And now, as he looks for love on the latest series of E4's Celebs Go Dating, Gary is taking on a far from heart-warming role in the Empire pantomime. Crowds have been flocking to the famous theatre for just over a week now to see Aladdin,. also starring Boulevard Newcastle's own Miss Rory and talented writer and performer Tom Whalley and Gary has been getting his fair shares of boos as Abanazar, the villain intent on spoiling Aladdin and Princess Jasmine's party.
READ MORE: Miss Rory steals the show in outrageously hilarious Aladdin at Sunderland Empire
ChronicleLive caught up with Gary during a quick break in his hectic festive schedule and he, admitted that, having been known for playing 'the nice guy' he was revelling in his new evil on stage persona. "My job is to make kids cry, there's no shying away from that," he began.
"Trust me, I will be the wickedest Abanazar you've ever seen."
Despite being in the spotlight for decades now, unlike many other soap stars, Gary hasn't been a regular in pantoland over the years, with his one and only other role seeing him appear alongside late showbiz icon Cilla Black.
Before the Empire curtain had even gone up on Aladdin earlier this month, Gary was very excited for audiences to see what he, his fellow cast members and the production team had to offer, teasing that it was a show with !all the bells and whistles," while also not ruling out a comeback for Footballers' Wives, 20 years after it first made its debut.
Our reviewer went along to Aladdin press night in Sunderland last week and, on the subject of Gary's Abanazar, referenced the fact that every time he walked on stage, he was greeted by the Hollyoaks theme tune, before summarising: "If you're in the mood for a festive family night out that will leave you belly-laughing or mortified in front of your children, give Aladdin a visit!
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