A Scots panto star has been sacked following shock revelations he appeared in a pornographic film.
Craig Chalmers, who rose to fame in the BBC’s search for a new Joseph for the Andrew Lloyd-Webber musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, had been due to play Cinderella’s Prince Charming at the Alhambra Theatre in Dunfermline.
However, following an anonymous tip-off about his shady alternative career, he was told he shall not go to the ball.
He has now been replaced by co-star James Mackenzie, from children’s TV channel CBBC, who was originally playing Dandini.
The Alhambra is in the process of recasting for that role.
The cast and crew of Cinderella have been told of Chalmers’ departure and are said to agree with the decision.
In the married actor’s adult film, in which he uses the name Ryan Ryder, he can clearly be seen participating in a number of lewd acts.
His profile and photograph are also included on an X-rated adult entertainment website.
It is not clear when the film was made, but the Alhambra said its content was not appropriate for someone in a family show.
In a statement, a spokeswoman for the Alhambra Theatre Trust said: ”In light of information given by an anonymous member of the public, of which we were completely unaware, we can confirm that Craig Chalmers is no longer taking part in the pantomime.”
The spokeswoman confirmed the information related to the pornographic film and that Chalmers had admitted his involvement.
The Courier made repeated attempts to contact Craig Chalmers through his agent but received no response.
The theatre’s prompt action following the tip-off was praised by Dunfermline councillor Helen Law, who said: ”I think they have taken the right action and congratulate them for being so prompt about it.
”In light of recent publicity I think people are very aware of not having their stars, local or otherwise, involved with such things. I hope the show is still a success.”
A local mum also congratulated the Alhambra on its stance.
”It is not appropriate to have someone like that in a family show, so they have done the right thing,” she said.
The woman, who has a three-year-old son, said she hoped the rest of the cast could move on and enjoy the show when it opens on December 18.
Chalmers became a household name in 2007 when he finished fifth in hit Saturday night show Any Dream Will Do and was later chosen to play Joseph in the UK touring production.
Before the tour opened the now 30-year-old told how his biggest fear was not the singing or the dancing, but the stripping.
Joseph appears during much of the show wearing nothing but a loincloth.
The BBC declined to comment on the revelations.
The actor’s first Scottish pantomime experience was last year when he played Aladdin, also at the Alhambra, alongside Emma Soraya Beard as Princess Jasmine.
Emma, who made her name in ITV1 show Popstars: The Rivals is back this year for Cinderella. Other co-stars include Jane McCarry, better known as Isa in Still Game, and Fifer Donna Hazelton.