DID I hear talk of a pantomime? Oh yes I did!

There is someone for everyone in Bristol this year, as the historic Hippodrome plays host to ‘Dick Whittington’, which is always a particular favourite with the West Country crowds.

And starring in this ‘wags to riches’ tale are none other than 2012 Britain’s Got Talent winners Ashleigh and Pudsey, ‘Mr Bloom’ Ben Faulks, and X Factor favourite Brenda Edwards.

“This is my first time in Bristol, but everyone says it’s lovely. We’ve had a quick look round and my mum’s already got her shopping lined up!, ” says Ashleigh, who is bringing her four-legged friend to the city for the the panto’s month-long run.

“This will be my third year doing pantomime - I do love drama, singing and dancing,” says Ashleigh, “and panto! In fact, I love everything about Christmas – it’s my favourite time of year. The whole cast and crew come together and we have a really good laugh. When that happens, it really does come across on stage, so it’s all about having fun, to be honest."

The Britain’s Got Talent winners are no strangers to life in the limelight, and even released their own film earlier this year, but Ashleigh says she never takes her faithful co-star for granted: “’I’ve trained dogs since I was five - pretty much my whole life - so when my mum and dad gave me Pudsey it wan’t really any different. I started off training him for agility – you know, obstacle courses and that kind of thing – and I love dance aswell, so when I found out there was such a thing as canine freestyle I thought “Oh, I’ll give this a go!"

“ Pudsey loves it. He loves learning new things and I love dance, so it kind of all comes together, but at the end of the day Pudsey’s a dog and when you’ve got an animal on stage anything can happen. But he does love a live audience and he never gets nervous. To be honest, he’s asleep most of the time…"

“Panto is hard work. It’s two shows, six days a week, so we have to look after him; in fact, my mum looks after us both."

Ashleigh’s ‘other’ co-star is Ben Faulks, who is perhaps better known as children’s TV favourite Mr Bloom. Ben is no stranger to Bristol, and was most recently in the city for the Food Festival in the summer.

“This is a great production with great values, so I’m really pleased to be involved with it. Although to be honest, any production which involves Eric Potts is going to be great,” says Ben.

 “I love pantomime. This is something that has come about through my association with CBeebies, but it’s great. It has a great ensemble cast, it’s a great kid’s show, and it’s a lovely time of year to be working. It’s always had a really positive response; it’s such a lovely medium of performance.”

Providing the laughs, as always, is West Country comedian Andy Ford, who is back at the Hippodrome for the sixth consecutive year.

“I will keep coming back for as long as they want me,” laughs Andy, “I certainly wouldn’t want to outstay my welcome! I’m always worried about repeating stuff, so I try and make sure that every year is different. I’ve got to keep coming up with fresh ideas but that’s fine, becauses it keeps my brain in good condition!

“It’s brilliant out there on stage performaing to 2,000 people every night; it’s real. I feel so lucky to be given this chance again and I never, ever take it for granted.

“Every time I get on that stage in front of everyone it’s like they aren’t just clapping and cheering, they are sending you their love. It’s sounds mushy but that’s real. That’s what it actually feels like being up there. It’s just the best. “

Dick Whittington opens at Bristol Hippodrome on Saturday , December 6 and runs until Sunday, January 5. For further information, including performance times and ticket prices, and to book online, visit www.bristolhippodrome.org.uk.