FORMER Brookside star Steven Pinder returns to the Liverpool Empire later this month in a smash-hit musical telling the untold story of the witches of Oz.

The actor – who played Max Farnham in the hit Channel Four soap – plays the Wizard and Doctor Dillamond in Wicked, which will be staged at the city centre venue from Tuesday, September 16 until October 11.

The show also stars Ashleigh Gray as wicked witch Elphaba, Emily Tierney as good witch Glinda and Richard Vincent as Boq.

Steven, who will be in the show until July next year, told the Globe: "I'm about to embark on one of my largest jobs on stage. It's a daunting, but exciting prospect. It's a real tale of good versus evil - the once you didn't see in the Wizard Of Oz.

"It's a show that has been running for a long time, and I’m privileged to have the opportunity to take over the role.

"It's brilliant to be coming back to the Empire, I've only been there once before."

Winner of 100 international awards, the show has been casting its magic spell over audiences across the world for a decade.

Its London production premiered in September 2006 and has been seen by more than six million people. It has been seen by an international audience of 42 million people.

It continues to break records at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, where it is now the 10th longest-running show in the West End.

In a brilliantly witty re-imagining of the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Wicked tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two sorcery students.

Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Packed with thrilling technical wizardry, stunning costumes and show-stopping songs by Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz.

Looking forward to returning to the Empire, Lancashire-born Steven continued: "It's also great from a personal point of view, because I have family in Birkenhead, and am looking forward to hopefully seeing them when I’m here.

“I also have a lot of friends in Liverpool, so it will be nice to catch up with them, too.”

Diane Belding, gteneral manager of the Liverpool Empire said: “We are very excited that after months of planning and preparation the international hit show Wicked will soon land in Liverpool.

"There has been much buzz and anticipation since we first announced the 2014 dates for this record-breaking show and ticket sales have been strong from the moment we opened bookings.

"With the show predicted to open to over 45,000 tickets sold and with local stars Steven Pinder and Carina Gillespie in the cast, we are confident audiences will have an unforgettably magical experience.”

Tickets are from the Empire box office on 0844 871 3017 or online at www.atgtickets.com/liverpool