It will be ‘Chico Time’ in Bradford this Christmas, when the pop star joins the cast of the Alhambra pantomime, Aladdin.

Chico, who shot to fame on the second series of X Factor, will play Slave of the Ring opposite Bradford’s favourite funnyman Billy Pearce, who returns to the city for his 15th Alhambra panto.

After reaching the quarter final of the X Factor in 2005, mentored by Sharon Osborne, Chico’s debut single, Time, knocked Madonna off the top of the charts.

Last year Chico reached the final of ITV’s Dancing on Ice and other TV appearances have included Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and ITV2 reality show Celeb Air. He has also been the face of Nickelodeons’ anti-bullying campaign.

Born Chico Slimani in Bridgend, South Wales, to Moroccan parents, he spent most of his childhood in Oujda City, Morocco, where he became a goat herder.

He returned to the UK aged 14 and later worked as a hairdresser and an electrician before pursuing a career in showbusiness.

His over-the-top X Factor appearances prompted mockery, but his self-deprecating approach won the public over. He became the first contestant on the show to sing an original song, It’s Chico Time, which became his catchphrase.

Chico recently completed a UK tour of Boogie Nights, with Bradford’s Gareth Gates and the Osmonds, which came to St George’s Hall in March.

Michael Harrison, managing director of Qdos Entertainment and executive producer of Aladdin, said: “Chico is such an energetic and charismatic performer, I’m delighted that he’ll be joining us in Bradford this year.

“We’re in the early stages of writing this year’s script, but audiences will be sure to enjoy the voice and moves for which Chico is famed!”

  • Aladdin runs at the Alhambra from December 14 to January 26, 2014. Tickets are available on (01274) 432000.