Corrie's Andrew Lancel in talks over panto role after child sex charges - The Sun

CORRIE star Andrew Lancel's arrest over child-sex claims has plunged his forthcoming pantomime role into doubt.

Lancel — scheming Frank Foster in the ITV1 soap — was lined up to play the Wicked Wizard in Sleeping Beauty.

Rehearsals were set to begin tomorrow at Liverpool's Echo Arena.

But producer David Lee said: "We're in talks with Andrew's management. A number of children are involved in the show."

Yesterday The Sun revealed how married Lancel — real name Andrew Watkinson — has been charged with five counts of sexually abusing an under-16.

The actor, 42, will appear in court on December 19.

His lawyer Stuart Nolan said: "He strenuously denies the allegations and is confident that his innocence will be established in the fullness of time."