THE show will go on for the star of this year's Swan Theatre pantomime despite the fact that he has had his vocal cords and tongue removed as part of treatment for throat cancer.

Jack Wild, who shot to worldwide fame as the Artful Dodger in the 1968 Oscar-winning film Oliver! when aged only 15, underwent major surgery just over a month ago and it has left him unable to speak.

But theatre bosses have re-written his role as Baron Hardup in this year's production of Cinderella at the Worcester theatre so he will have a silent part - unable to get a word in edgeways between his ugly sisters Trinny and Susannah.

The 52-year-old is now scheduled to appear in all 36 performances of the panto over a three-week run.

Chris Jaeger, director of Huntingdon Arts, said Jack had been hired to star in the show before he found out he had a malignant growth on his vocal cords.

"When we found out he was ill and had to go in for the operation no one knew how serious it would be," he said.

"But we are going to stick with him as he's a wonderful guy.

"The doctors are confident he will make a full recovery and I am confident it will be a great panto as the cast and the costumes are wonderful."

Paul Tate who runs Paul Tate Productions, the company putting on this year's panto, said he was 100 per cent behind Jack.

"I am confident that physically there will be no problems with him performing in Cinderella," he said.

"It's such a coup to have a film star in our midst and he has said he still wants to honour his contract.

"He has been through a very traumatic time but he's now very excited about his role."

Jack is due to start six-day-a-week rehearsals with the rest of the cast on Monday, November 29, ready for the first night's performance of the panto on Friday, December 10.