CHRISTMAS came early at the Bristol Hippodrome as the star-studded cast of this year's magical pantomime Cinderella visited town.

Michelle Collins, best known for her role as the scheming Cindy Beale in EastEnders, and comic and soap star Bobby Davro were at yesterday's launch of the glittering, million-pound production, and told the Post they were looking forward to the show.

Ms Collins, who has been cast as the Wicked Stepmother, says: "It's so lovely to come back into the theatre after doing a lot of TV work and I just know we're going to have a great time.

"I'm looking forward to playing the Wicked Stepmother – I'm going to make her my own. I'm going to play her as a bit of a gold-digger, a bit of a WAG.

"If you're going to do panto, then you have to play a baddie. I'm going to really camp it up and it's going to be a lot of fun."

Bobby Davro will star alongside Ms Collins as the loveable Buttons. He has entertained millions of people over the years with his numerous Saturday night TV series, summer shows and late-night cabarets.

Most recently this year, the versatile entertainer joined the cast of the BBC soap EastEnders, as irrepressible charmer Vinnie Monks.

Mr Davro says he will be bringing his full repertoire to the pantomime.

"I love panto because it gives me a chance to do everything. There's acting, joking, impressions, visual comedy, audience participation and singing.

"Of course we've got a lot of stuff for the kids in there, but I pitch all my material to the mums and dads.

"They need to enjoy the show, too – plus they're the ones who are paying! And when the kids look up at their mums and dads laughing, it makes for a great family event. Laughter is contagious."

Mr Davro says he is "delighted" to be revisiting the role of Buttons – one he has played a whopping 15 times.

He said: "I'm an older Buttons than when I first played him but if Lionel Blair can still get away with playing him then I've got a good few years left in me yet!"

Also at the launch were Cinderella, played by Vicky Longley, who appeared in children's satellite channel Nickelodeon's Genie in the House, and George Wood, who starred in CBBC series I Dream, as Prince Charming.

Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney, who will star as Baron Hardup, will be flying in from America with wife Jan, who will play the Fairy Godmother, to join the cast next month.

Mickey has starred alongside Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland and will enter the Guinness Book of Records this year as the actor with the longest career on stage and screen.

Cinderella runs at the Bristol Hippodrome from Friday, December 12 to January 11. Tickets, at £15, £23.50 and £25.50, can be obtained on 0844 847 2325.

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