PREVIEW: Alison Hammond talks strictly panto at the Floral Pavilion

The Birmingham-born TV presenter and actress – a regular on ITV's This Morning and panellist on Loose Women – plays the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, which will be staged at the venue from December 10 to January 17.

Alison with fellow cast members Tam Ryan, Olivia Birchenough, Jamie Morris and Tarot Joseph during 'Cinderella' panto launch in New Brighton. Pictures by Geoff Davies

Also in the cast are Olivia Birchenhough in the title role, Tam Ryan as Buttons, George Olney as Silly Dandini, Gary Davis as Baron Hardup. Jamie Morris and Tarot Joseph play the Ugly Sisters.

Alison (pictured, above) told the Globe: "It's the ninth time I've done panto - it's unconventional with my lifestyle because I have a little boy - but he loves it.

"He comes and spends Christmas with me here and it’s really lovel; he gets to play and work with the lights and the sound and so it’s really nice.

Tam Ryan as Buttons during panto launch

"I love panto, I never went as a child so for me panto started 13 years ago and I just love it.

"I go on there as myself, a comedy fairy I would say.

"As soon as I walk on stage, people start laughing, I don't know whether it's my size or dress but I get the laughs.

Tarot Joseph and Jamie Morris as The Ugly Sisters during panto launch

"I'm a natural comedian. I don't try and be funny, I just am.

"My little boy is 11 years old and he's ringing me now asking what he's got tomorrow and for help with homework.

"He wouldn't want to get involved in pantomime though, he's too busy wanting to be a Formula One driver – I have been trying to put him off it.

Olivia Birchenough as Cinderella during panto launch

"I actually have been to Wirral before, I have a friend who lives in Hoylake but I've never been to New Brighton before. It's lovely!

"It looks like they've pumped a bit of money into the area haven’t they?

"The cinema, the Prezzo, yeah I think I can see myself staying here – not sure where I'm going to be staying though.

Tarot Joseph as one of The Ugly Sisters during panto launch

"Of all the pantos, Cinderella is the one good vs evil, ugly sisters and even the ugly sisters are beautiful."

As well as being a regular face on This Morning, Alison became an audience hit on Strictly Come Dancing in 2014.

It lead to taking part in the show's live tour.

She found fame as a contestant on Big Brother in 2002 and appeared on I'm A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here in 2010.

Jamie Morris as one of The Ugly Sisters during panto launch

She has also been a presenter on TV programmes including current affairs show Inside Out.

Reflecting on her career, she said: "I enjoy all of the different things I do, I probably enjoyed Strictly a little too much if I'm honest with you.

"I look at Strictly now and wish I was still doing it.

"I really did enjoy it and the dancing was just great, every day dancing with Ally Ash I mean imagine it, it was just amazing.

"I look back and think that was just a dream that show, so I have it in the back of my mind.

"I'd love to do it again but obviously once you’ve been on it before you can't go back again.

"I enjoy everything though, like today I just gave a lovely lady £2,000 live on This Morning.

Alison Hammond as The Fairy Godmother during panto launch 

"Making lovely winning moments like that is just lovely – changing people's lives.

"I have got something really great planned for January that everyone who watches This Morning can get involved in.

"I don't really like to plan ahead that much because I am a mum and I have to work between that and being a mum.

Cast of 'Cinderella' during panto launch

"And now this is the most amount of time that I have been away from Aiden, obviously I'll be here until he comes and joins me so for me it’s just working up to that moment.

"It's a big thing for me to leave home so I don’t really do things unless I can have a balance of two or three days I don't want to do too much and I do want to have a good balance with him."

Tickets for Cinderella are from the box office on 0151 666 0000 or floralpavilion.com