EXCLUSIVE! First pic of Nigel Pivaro as pantomime baddie

We've got it first and exclusive, hot off the press from the theatre directly just for us here on the Coronation Street Blog. It's Coronation Street bad lad Terry Duckworth, actor Nigel Pivaro, all dolled up and getting ready for his new role as Abanazar in panto this year.

Flying into Lowestoft this December, in the guise of a scheming sorcerer, fresh from his recent return to the cobbles of Coronation Street comes the country’s most vile villain! And here is a first look at the villainous character in costume.

Loathed by millions for his on-screen portrayal of the Street’s wide boy Terry Duckworth, Nigel Pivaro is set to leave a trail of pantomime menace and meanness at the Marina Theatre as the evil Abanazar in the pantomime Aladdin.

RADA trained, Nigel first joined Coronation Street in 1983. He had initially auditioned for the role of Curly Watts and so impressed producers they asked him to audition for the role of Terry, and British TV soap history was made!

The iconic character of Terry Duckworth has become synonymous with the Street. His many wicked ways, from breaking his parents’ hearts, along with several girlfriends, to selling his own son, have made him the villain everyone loves to hate.

Dipping in and out of Street life since the nineties, Nigel’s recent return to the cobbles was a ratings hit. Pantomime producer Paul Holman, from Paul Holman Associates said: “Nigel is the archetypical soap baddie. He has so much experience to bring to the production of Aladdin at the Marina Theatre and we’re thrilled to have him on board.”

Life away from Coronation Street has seen Nigel appear in Hetty Wainthrop Investigates, The Bill, Expert Witness and the Channel 4 short-film Sunny Side of the Street. He has an extensive background in repertory theatre and has appeared in many pantomimes across the country, always playing the villain and always whipping up audiences into a barrage of boos and a hail of hissing!

Nigel added, “It will be an interesting pleasure to work in the historic sea faring town of Lowestoft, its residents are hardy, inventive and resilient from its fishing roots to leading the way in renewable energy. However my stage persona will not be undergoing any such transformation as I will be sticking to the script to perform one of the most dastardly pantomime villains known to man!"

Nigel will be joining an exciting cast of colourful characters in Aladdin from 18 December to 6 January 2013. Tickets are on sale now, with special discounted pricing for early bookers, available at the Box Office or by calling 01502 533 200. Tickets are on sale now - book yours here.

Follow the Coronation Street Blog on Twitter and Facebook