A benefit show to raise funds for an actor seriously injured in the Shrewsbury explosion will be held later this year, it has been revealed.

Kiley McDonnell, who comes from London, was starring as Jovial Jake in the Theatre Severn Peter Pan pantomime at Christmas when he was injured in the blast, which left him with serious spinal injuries.

Peter Nicholson, theatre manager, said talks were beginning on a show to be held in autumn, with Kiley set to make an emotional return to the stage.

Following the explosion on January 3, his family told how both his lungs had collapsed, damage was caused to his liver and his spine had been severed.

Mr Nicholson said: “Discussions are at a very early stage at the moment, but I can confirm that we are looking to hold a show in the autumn.

“This is something we feel strongly about because Kiley was set to finish performing the panto, but then the explosion happened and this is our way of giving back.”

It is not clear yet what form the show will take, but Mr Nicholson said it was more likely to be a show than a musical concert.

It was believed that Mr McDonnell, 32, of Chapel Road, Bexleyheath, south-east London, was saying goodbye to his family, who it is thought had seen him perform in the panto the day before the explosion that ripped through the Shrewsbury town centre flat.

Mr McDonnell began his career performing in nightly production shows before appearing in Casper the Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

He toured with Stars in Their Eyes live for Granada television and Joe Pasquale’s Rentaghost the Musical Roadshows.

He has also played principal roles in other pantomimes.