It's been revealed that Rory Cowan is to star in this year's panto at the Olympia.

The actor, best known for playing Rory Brown in Mrs Brown's Boys, will take over the lead role in Polly and the Beanstalk after comedian Al Porter stood aside from production. "I am very happy to be joining the cast of The Olympia Theatre panto," Rory said. "I am a huge panto fan and treading the hallowed boards of The Olympia is a privilege for me." Cowan will begin rehearsals this week ahead of opening night on 15 December. It was announced yesterday that Al Porter would not be taking part in the panto, which he co-wrote with comedian Karl Spain, after accusations of sexual misconduct emerged last week. This would have been his thirteenth year starring in the Olympia panto. In a statement, production company Spotlight Productions said; "Due to recent developments, Al Porter is standing aside from his role in this year’s Pantomime Polly and the Beanstalk at the Olympia Theatre." This comes after Al's resignation from his lunchtime radio show on TodayFM on Sunday. He said that he would be taking a break from the spotlight. The Irish edition of the Sunday Times this week published quotes from a man who claimed that Al had tried tried to grope and kiss him.