Birmingham Hippodrome panto star Paul Zerdin will be the star turn at this year's Birmingham Press Club Christmas lunch.
The ventriloquist-comedian is playing Simple Simon in this year's production of Jack and the Beanstalk alongside Gary Wilmot and Matt Slack.
The trio was a big hit in last year's production of Snow White and have returned by popular demand.
Press Club chairman Ed James said: "Paul's mix of stand-up comedy and ventriloquism put him in the forefront of popular entertainment today.
"Previous panto stars Brian Conley and Joe Pasquale have made our last two Christmas lunches very special occasions and I have no doubt that we are in for another treat with Paul as our guest."
In addition, Barclays is sponsoring the lunch with proceeds from a raffle at the event going to Ward 11, the paediatric department at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, in Northfield.
The centre provides individualised holistic care for children with injuries and diseases of the bone and joints.
Ray O'Donoghue, Birmingham-based managing director of Barclays Corporate. added: "The hospital is a national centre of excellence and has a world reputation for research and pioneering development.
"But it still needs backing from charitable funds to provide support and enhance the environment and facilities for patients.
"That's why we would like to support Ward 11, which in the past year has undergone a major refurbishment and upgrading of facilities to improve patient privacy and dignity and provide a playroom for the younger children.
"During the next few months we plan to work closely with the hospital to secure all the things on their 'wish list' for the playroom."
The Press Club lunch takes place at the Birmingham Hippodrome on December 16 and tickets are available from www.birmingham-press-club.co.uk.
