Pamela Anderson to play Virgin Mary

Pamela Anderson will portray the Virgin Mary in a TV special.

The former ‘Baywatch’ actress – who has posed for adult publication Playboy several times and famously starred in a sex tape with then-husband Tommy Lee – will star in a re-imagining of the Nativity story on Canadian network CTV and The Comedy Network’s ‘A Russell Peters Christmas Special’.

In the festive sketch, Australian funnyman Russell will portray Joseph.

A statement from CTV said: "Peters puts his own irreverent twist on the Christmas special."

The show, which will broadcast at the beginning of next month, will feature a mix of animation, stand up and sketch comedy and musical performances.

Other guests who will appear in the 60-minute programme include crooner Michael Buble, ‘The Love Boat’ star Ted Lange and comedian Job Lovitz.

Over the last two years Pamela has spent the festive season taking a starring role in British pantomimes - a type of comedy musical theatre show traditionally shown around Christmas time –and has admitted she loves appearing in the festive productions,

She has said: "My agent came to me and just said, 'This is something you probably don't want to do but how about pantomime?'

"He explained it was a kind of theatre and I thought it would be fun. He told me that it was funny and light-hearted and I thought it would be perfect because it's funny that I'm on stage at all!

"I have two homes in Malibu and I just love pouring my heart out in pantomime. I feel that this is where I should be headed, more so than wearing bikinis."