THE Cinderella panto at Victoria Hall has been cancelled for the weekend – after one star quit and audience members walked out on opening night.

Show bosses said this weekend's performances will not go ahead "because one of the leading cast members has been taken ill".

But it is understood actor Nick Newbould – who was playing Buttons – has walked out because he does not want to be associated with the production.

The panto features Anne Nolan – sister of Loose Women presenter Coleen – as well as YouTube star Antonella the Uncensored Reviewer, who has appeared on ITV's This Morning.

A show spokesman said: "Nick was feeling ill before the performance and now he's had to pull out.

"We're currently auditioning for a new Buttons and the show on Tuesday will definitely be going ahead."

However, sources told The Bolton News that Mr Newbould had left because the show was a "nightmare" and he had to "take his name away" from the production.

The source added: "There was no proper tech team and the sound guy hadn't done it before. The tools to do the job weren't there. He tried to do the best job as possible."

One of the panto production team Troy Harris said they had been told that Mr Newbould was ill and had not heard anything about any grievances.

A source close to Mr Newbould said the actor had been clear with bosses over his reasons for quitting.

One mum, who went to the show with a large group that walked out, said the opening night was a "shambles".

She said: "There were 30 of us and we'd come from lots of places, including Hindley, with some of us coming on the train.

"There was a tech issue so it didn't start until just before seven when it was supposed to start at 6.30pm.

"It reminded me of a holiday camp when people are just milling around.

"We had more fun in McDonald's to tell you the truth.

"The kids couldn't hear so were just chatting among themselves. One of the girls we were with said that there was another 5-10 minutes before the show started after the interval, so we decided to go.

"There was a number of people near us who got up and left when we decided to go."

The mother added that there were very few props involved in the production and the background did not change throughout.

Joshua Orme, the facilities manager at the Victoria Hall, said: "It's family entertainment, you will have young children getting tired and wanting to leave.

"One mother had to go because her child was ill."

Anne Nolan said that opening night issues were natural and that it was a normal occurrence.

Fellow stars David Potts – from Ibiza Weekender's – and Antonella said they had received praise on social media for their performances.

The panto is due to run until December 31.

As a gesture of goodwill, panto bosses said they would offer £5 tickets to anyone if they wanted to re-book by December 5.

This can be done by using the code "CINDERELLA5" on Ticketsource.

Refunds can be requested by contacting Ticketsource on 0333 666 3366.