Coronation Street actress and former pop star Kym Marsh will appear in Shrewsbury to help raise funds for a pantomime star who was seriously injured in the devastating Shrewsbury blast, it emerged today.

Organisers today announced the details for the benefit fundraiser in aid of actor Kiley McDonnell who was badly hurt in the Bridge Sheet explosion in January.

A glittering array of talent from the stage and small screen will come together at Theatre Severn for the event on October 17.

Top name TV stars who will be performing also include former Emmerdale star Matt Healy, who wowed audiences in Shrewsbury as Captain Hook in Peter Pan, and star of Grange Hill and Coronation Street Tom Hudson.

Alongside them, the night will feature a variety of acts including local youngsters and BBC Radio Shropshire’s Eric Smith.

Last month Mr McDonnell’s friends and family confirmed he had been told by doctors he will never walk again and will spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. The gas explosion on January 3 on the corner of Bridge Street and Smithfield Road left 12 people injured, five seriously including Mr McDonnell. The Health and Safety Executive is still investigating the cause of the blast.

Tickets for the fundraiser will go on sale at the Theatre Severn box office at 10am next Monday.

The variety show called Big Night Out will include singers, comedians and dancers from all over Britain as well as the well- known faces.