CHRISTMAS starts in earnest today for Del Willden and the rest of the cast of Sleeping Beauty, the big family pantomime at King George’s Hall, Blackburn.

For it marks the start of an intensive period of rehearsals for the spectacular show which runs from December 9 until Christmas Eve.

“Just to get to this point has been really exciting for me,” said Del. “So I can’t wait to get started.”

TV viewers got the chance to watch Del being selected for the role of Fairy Green in the show on ITV’s The Big Audition.

“That was quite a long process,” said former BA cabin crew Del. “I first applied for the part in February and then got contacted by the Big Audition. I had a series of phone calls and Skype calls with producers before they let me know I was being asked to go down to London for the auditions which were filmed in June.”

Del auditioned before the team from Stageworks, the production company at Blackpool Pleasure Beach who have put on the festive show in Blackburn for a number of years.

“The funny thing is I was so nervous about the audition I had to watch it back because I couldn’t remember a thing about it,” he said.

Del from the Wirral has created a successful alter ego in the form of Beverly Macca who has a regular show on Radio Wirral but she will be left at home

during his time in Blackburn.

“I’ve been doing Bev for some time now,” he said, “and I was getting to the stage where I wanted to do more as myself. When I applied for the Big Audition it was nothing to do with Bev at all. It was Del. Carrying on from that it’s just going to be Del doing his dame role which is pretty much what you saw on the audition.

“I’ve got the script through and it would appear that I’m one of three fairies but Fairy Green, my character, is the naughty one which is great with me. It means I can have some fun.”

As well as regular radio work, Del has appeared in panto on the Wirral and last year was in the musical Secrets in Liverpool.

“Getting a part in Sleeping Beauty is the perfect chance for me to show what I can do,” he said.

The King George’s Hall panto, which sees Voice winner Kevin Simm, now the new frontman of Wet Wet Wet returning to the venue, is renowned for its high production values. And Del is already impressed by what he’s seen.

“My costume is unbelievable,” he said. “I did a touring panto as a dame last year and my costume was good then. I even wore it for the audition in fact, but the quality in this one is amazing.”

With rehearsals starting today, Del has already been for a fitting.

“We don’t want any wardrobe malfunctions, especially with the size of the boobs they have given me,” he laughed. “I couldn’t see in front of myself when I was trying to go down stairs, they have given me a massive chest.”

Del is a big fan of panto having been taken to Christmas shows in new Brighton when he was a child.

“The one which really sticks in my mind though was at the Liverpool Empire and starred Cilla Black,” he said. “I can still remember that show now.

“There is something about a pantomime which is really special. And I think as a dame-type character, that’s one of the best parts.

“You can interact with the children, you’re the one that can really get them going.

“I think it’s a very important thing to include youngsters in the audience as much as you can. I’ll do a lot of pointing at them and all that interaction. It’s total tradition. When you see their faces going bright red from screaming ‘it’s behind you’ that’s magical. It’s something that only works at Christmas time.”

Del made his first visit to Blackburn for the opening of jeweller Peter Jackson’s new shop in the Mall.

“I got to have a chat with a lot of people and what struck me was how much they are looking forward to the pantomime,” he said.

“It’s clearly a show which is part of many families’ Christmas which is brilliant.

“I’ve got what I call good nerves at the moment. If you haven’t got them, there’s something wrong, they make you want to do your best. I can’t wait to get started.”

Sleeping Beauty, King George’s Hall, Blackburn, Sunday, December 9 to New Year’s Eve. Details from 0844 847 1664 or www.kinggeorgeshall.com