Famous faces set to star in Mayflower Theatre's pantomime Cinderella

Video report by ITV News Meridian's Rachel Hepworth

The Mayflower Theatre in Southampton is preparing for its annual pantomime this Christmas.

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood and stage performer and presenter Debbie McGee both star in this year's production of Cinderella.

Craig Revel Horwood will play the wicked stepmother. He said: "Oh darling I was born to play them all, the baddies anyway.

"I did ask to play Cinderella but they said no. I absolutely love it and it's so much fun to be booed on stage and it's just so brilliant."

Debbie McGee will play the fairy godmother. She said: "Adults think it's for the kids, it really isn't.

"Usually it's fun at Christmas but I think it's going to be extra special this year."

The theatre's pantomime was postponed in 2020 because of the pandemic.

This year's pantomime features another famous face, Sooty.

Richard Caddell, who plays Sooty and Buttons, said: "It's not just for children... because the adults like him more than the kids.

"We know that because when he pops up for the first time they all go crazy, we all know why they're coming, they're re-living their childhoods."

Cinderella starts on December 10, with the theatre expecting 50,000 people through the doors.