Theatre Royal Nottingham and pantomime producer Crossroads Pantomimes have today [24 April 2026] announced that broadcaster, barrister and author Rob Rinder will star as The Spirit of the Beans in Jack and the Beanstalk, alongside the return of much-loved comedian Neil Hurst, who will star as Simon Trot from Saturday 28 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.
Rob Rinder MBE is a barrister, broadcaster and Sunday Times bestselling author.
Rob’s participation in Who Do You Think You Are? retraced the story of his Holocaust survivor grandfather and received a BAFTA. The BBC series he presented, My Family, The Holocaust, and Me, aired to critical acclaim and in 2020, Rob was awarded an MBE for his services to Holocaust education.
Rob has since gone on to curate and present a broad range of widely viewed and notable documentaries. In 2024, Rob paired up with Rylan to present the docuseries Rob & Rylan’s Grand Tour for BBC Two, with the hugely popular series earning the duo a BAFTA. In 2025 the highly-anticipated follow-up series Rob and Rylan’s Passage to India aired, receiving widespread recognition.
Called to the bar in 2001, Rob went on to specialise in cases involving murder and financial crime, while working in media to make law more accessible. Inspired by his experiences as a barrister, Rob’s novels The Trial, The Suspect and The Protest are Sunday Times No. 1 bestsellers.
Neil Hurst returns to the Theatre Royal following a hugely successful season in last year’s Cinderella, where he proved a firm favourite with Nottingham audiences. Best known for his TV roles in The Syndicate and Fresh Meat, Neil also co-hosted ITV’s All-Star Family Fortunes, appeared in BBC’s The ABC Murders and has featured in family favourites such as Coronation Street, All Creatures Great and Small and Casualty. Before appearing in Nottingham last Christmas, Neil was the resident panto comic at Hull New Theatre, as well as touring the UK in musicals including The Full Monty and Hairspray!.
Jack and the Beanstalk will be produced by the world’s biggest pantomime producer, and the team behind last year’s production of Cinderella, Crossroads Pantomimes, whose Chief Executive Michael Harrison said:
“I’m delighted to be announcing the first stars for this year’s Nottingham pantomime. Rob Rinder is a much-loved part of our panto family and has recently headlined pantos in Bristol, Southend, Milton Keynes and Woking, bringing real flair and presence to the stage, while Neil Hurst returns following a hugely successful season in Nottingham last year and guarantees laugh-out-loud comedy for all the family. Together, they promise a spectacular, high-energy Jack and the Beanstalk that’s not to be missed this Christmas.”
Dan Baxter, Interim Venue Director at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham said:
“Today, we are proud to announce Rob Rinder for this year’s family pantomime. It’ll be great to see such a well-loved TV personality live on stage here at the Theatre Royal Nottingham this Christmas.Neil Hurst was such a hit for us last year, he’s a brilliant comedy performer and a true panto pro. We’re sure that our audiences will be thrilled to see him on the bill again for Jack and the Beanstalk.”
Fee-fi-fo-fum, a giant of a panto full of fun! Follow Jack and climb a beanstalk of gigantic proportions to cloudland in the spectacular family pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk.
Doomed to sell his trusty cow, join Jack’s fight to outwit the evil giant and win riches beyond his wildest dreams. Featuring laughs, music, special effects and bundles of audience participation, this is the panto you’ve BEAN waiting for!
Further star casting to be announced later this year.
Posted on 28 April 2026
