Making your panto debut in a lead role is bound to be nerve wracking, but at least you can rely on the audience cheers if you're playing the hero.

Not so much if you're instantly recognisable as the devious murderer on one of the nation's most popular television shows.

Marc Baylis, currently captivating television audiences as Corrie killer Rob Donovan, will make his first ever pantomime appearance as the Prince in Sleeping Beauty at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley this Christmas.

And the actor said he’s not worried about the possibility of getting booed when he first walks on stage.

He said: “I kind of actively want that to be honest. There is a bit of tongue in cheek in Rob from Corrie being the Prince.

“There’s a lot of fun we can have with it. There’s a flavour to it that most other pantos won’t have.”

Rob, who lived in Forest Hill for seven years, added: “I know that I’m going to be learning on this job and I am going to enjoy it as well.

“It seems like a really nice crowd that we’re going to be working with. I’m really looking forward to getting back in the theatre.”

Someone who is expecting to get booed – though not exactly relishing the thought – is Zoe Birkett, who plays Carabosse the bad fairy.

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Zoe sprung to the nation's attention as a teenager way back in 2002 when she finished fourth on Pop Idol.

Since then she has made a name for herself on the West End stage and most recently could be seen in the Big Brother house.

Zoe said: “This is the first year in pantomime that I’ve played an evil part so I’m looking forward to that.

“I’ve played one evil character before, in the West End I played the Acid Queen in Tommy.

“In panto, I’m usually the Princess so this is going to be a first for me.

“I’m not looking forward to the boos. I’m just going to embrace it and try to encourage it. It’s going to be a new experience to me.”

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Playing the Good Fairy is 90s pop starlet Sonia, appearing in her 16th pantomime.

She said: “It’s like a dream. The fairy is one of my favourites, especially when I get to fly, which I do in this one.

“Because I have played Peter Pan, I’ve flown quite a bit and it becomes quite addictive. I’m a dab hand at it now.”

One of the things Sonia’s looking forward to most is the looks of glee on the faces of young audience members.

She said: “It gives me such a buzz when I look out at the sea of kids. I’ve got a little girl now who is four years old and she just loves the whole thing.

“Last year, I was a fairy in Brighton and every single day she would come in in her own little fairy outfit. When I see the kids’ faces and they believe it all, it just makes it all so worthwhile.”

Sleeping Beauty, Churchill Theatre, Bromley, Friday, November 28, until Sunday, January 4. Tickets £15 to £26.50. Go to atgtickets.com/Bromley or call 0844 8717620.