She's behind you! Delia's voice features in panto

The voice of cookery expert Delia Smith is set to feature in a Christmas pantomime... Oh yes it is!

Audiences are due to hear the former Norwich City owner use her "canary" call to voice the character of the Great Spirit of Norwich in Aladdin.

It would follow Smith stepping down from her role as director of the football club after 27 years as a majority shareholder alongside her husband, Michael Wynn-Jones.

The 83-year-old said she could not wait for the pantomime season to kick off at Norwich Theatre Royal on 7 December.

The theatre said Smith would not appear in person, with her performance to be recorded and played at every show.

"Pantomime is such a wonderful tradition and a fantastic opportunity to bring joy and laughter to our community," Smith said.

Despite her subtle role, theatre chief executive Stephen Crocker said Smith's character was a "hugely important part of the story".

"Its presence and influence looks after and guides the hero of the story on his journey towards his fame, fortune and happiness," he said.

"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."

Every year, the theatre donates pantomime tickets to those in the community who might not be able to attend otherwise.

This year, donated tickets are going to Norwich City FC's Community Sports Foundation, to distribute them to families.

The Canaries were taken over by Norfolk Holdings, a group led by US businessman Mark Attanasio, earlier this year.

Mr Attanasio is also the owner of Milwaukee Brewers baseball team.

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