DEADLINE – The breakout star of Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit, Anya Taylor-Joy, will play the title role, Cinderella in a virtual staging of pantomime classic Cinderella for BBC Two, with Richard Curtis executive producing.

The stars will perform from the safety of their homes for the Comic Relief special, which airs on Christmas Eve and will be brought to life with illustrations from iconic children’s illustrator Quentin Blake.

Olivia Colman plays the fairy godmother, while Helena Bonham Carter features as the wicked stepmother Lady Devilia.

Curtis said: “It’ll be very funny and merry — and also a great seasonal opportunity to raise crucial funds for the projects that will help the most vulnerable people, at home and abroad — especially now when Covid has made things harder than ever for many.”