Panto delayed... so Prince Charming can go to Stoke City v Liverpool! (VIDEO)

IT ALL might have turned out so differently for the original Prince Charming if he had stood Cinderella up to go to the football.

But on Saturday the famous fairytale will be given a new twist by Hartshill, Penkhull and Trent Vale Players as the start of their panto is put back 45 minutes.

It is so this particular Prince Charming – who works in the corporate lounge at the Britannia Stadium – can perform his duties at Saturday's Stoke-Liverpool match.

Josh Whittaker, who is playing the Prince opposite real-life fiancee Jeni Vyse as Cinderella, will leave the Brit at half time, quickly change into a tunic and then woo the damsel in distress – if she is still waiting.

The diary clash emerged two months ago when Setanta chose the Liverpool game for live coverage, with a 5.30pm kick-off, instead of 3pm.

At first Josh feared he would not get to the ball, but special dispensation from Stoke means the 23-year-old can fit in both duties.

Article continues below

2fmedia.thisisthesentinel.co.uk%2fTSPlayer%2fJSON.aspx%3fid%3d33162%26embedded%3dtrue">

Now Saturday's performance has been put back to 8.15pm, instead of 7.30pm tonight and tomorrow.

The change is also good news for Stoke fans in the cast and audience who are also going to Saturday's show.

Panto director Mike Whittaker, who is Josh's dad, said: "It's a really important game for Stoke, but Josh has been given special permission to leave early for the panto.

"It was a real worry – at first we thought we would have to cancel Saturday's performance because there is no understudy, but then we realised Josh could fit it in if we delayed the start.

"We asked the parents of the children in the cast if it was OK for them to stay up later, and they were all fine.

"Josh was desperate not to let anyone down and with four of the cast having season tickets they are glad they can get to the match too. The others understand our passion for both the panto and the football and have been very good about it.

"I've never heard of this happening before but Josh will have to hope Cinderella is still waiting for him when he gets back from the football."

The villages' panto has been revived for the first time in 20 years by the newly-formed Players, and it is hoped it will become an annual event.

The play involves a cast of 35, including 17 children aged between four and 14.

Josh, of Penkhull, said: "It's a massive game for Stoke and it's all hands on deck but I didn't want to let anyone down so it will be busy but I'm sure I can do both.

"Quite a few people are going to be running straight from the match to the panto.

"I wouldn't usually stand Jeni up for the football but fortunately she is understanding and I'm sure there will be a few references to the match ad-libbed in the script."

Two vicars will also be appearing in the cast in tonight's performance at Penkhull Village Hall.

The Reverend Anthony Osborne will be playing 'Ossie', an absent minded herald, and the Reverend Sandy Dutton will be 'Sharon', a 'Herb Girl' – Stoke-on-Trent's answer to the Spice Girls.

Both vicars are from the three churches of Hartshill, Penkhull and Trent Vale. For tickets to the pantomime call 01782 398964.