Tell me a bit about you.
Hi, I am me. I am 5 foot 3 and a bit. That bit is important. I used to be an actor, but now I am just me everywhere, and Christmas is my favourite time of year because of the panto.
How did you start your career?
Well, it wasn’t a decision. For some reason, when I was 18 months old, I wanted to be on stage, and I kept performing everywhere I went, so people eventually just put me on stage. I have never ever wanted to do anything other than this sort of thing forever.
What do you like most about your job?
Good question. Other people because it doesn’t matter what facet of my job I am doing, there is always somebody else there, which is great because it is not just me. I am sick of me; I am everywhere.
What are your favourite parts of Norfolk?
Ooh! Yarmouth, but specifically the Britannia Pier in Yarmouth, there is a really good chip shop at the mouth of that. Where else? Norwich, in general, I had never spent any time there before I was doing this, and it is lovely. And the place with the seals! Horsey, in winter, I am such a big fan of the seals.
What is your perfect day?
My perfect day. Just a day where I eat all the food I was meant to eat, do all the sleeping I was meant to sleep and just… calm. If a day is calm, I will take that.
You are a Sunday Times Bestseller. How does that feel?
Mental! Much like me. Yeah, that was not something I thought would happen one day. I feel very fortunate that I got the opportunity to do something like that, and I feel very lucky because of that.
How do you come up with your dance routines?
I don’t think about it. You can probably tell! That is a lie. I come up with the names because I don’t think about it. I come up with the dance routines with Holly. My girlfriend is always the brains behind the operation on that front, and it takes me a very long time to learn eight seconds of dancing. It takes a good fortnight, and that is why I don’t make them very much.
What is it you love about being in panto?
I haven’t got to worry because I enjoy it. All hours on stage in the panto are a break for me, and I love that. And because it is important to audiences. I have always tried to remember that someone in the audience’s Christmas starts when they watch the panto. It doesn’t matter how many people are watching or what time of the day it is; I love it. We are the only country that does it, and I think it matters to people.
What makes you come back to Norwich each year?
I have never done any panto somewhere better. I love it. I feel safe in the building. I think all of the audiences, the staff and the crew are amazing. I feel very fortunate they let me come back. And they let me do weird stuff! I have tried to do weird stuff everywhere else, and nobody wants it, but for some reason, Norwich Theatre continues to let me be more and more weird every year, and that means a lot to me.
If you could be in any panto, what would it be?
Sleeping Beauty, preferably a fairy.
Sleeping Beauty, The Fairy’s Tale is at Norwich Theatre between 9 Dec – 7 Jan. For more information or to book visit norwichtheatre.org or call the Box Office on 01603 630 000.
Book now!