TV star Stephen Mulhern has sung the praises of the city at the official Dick Whittington panto launch.

The Catchphrase presenter is no stranger to Canterbury having performed at the Marlowe Theatre previously.

This Christmas he returns for his third stint in what producers promise will be “the biggest and best” panto yet.

In an exclusive interview outside the theatre, Mulhern told the KM Group: “I’m over the moon to be back. I’d forgotten how nice Canterbury actually is.

“The last time I was here it was the first year it had been refurbished and you just forget how good it is.

“The idea that in between shows you can go out to look around the Cathedral, it’s just perfect."

Mulhern says he is delighted to be united with fellow cast members Ben Roddy who plays Sarah the Cook; Lloyd Hollett who plays Captain Crabstick and Lisa Divina Phillip.

“To be back with Ben and to be back with Lloyd – it just feels great,” he said.

“The beauty of it is that I’ve already worked with Lisa, who plays the fairy, I’ve worked with Johnny Barr, who plays King Rat – so today’s just been like a joy.

“Already we’ve had such a laugh, literally, crying with laughter, so this is all good.”

Mulhern has also given an insight into his hectic schedule.

“Catchphrase is continuing, and we’ve got a brand new show called Go For It, which is like – the best way to describe it is it’s like You Bet, but a refreshed version,” he said.

“Then there’s a magic show. At long last, I’ve always said I’ve wanted to do a magic show on ITV and thankfully they’ve said yes.

“I’ve just finished filming it and it goes out in November.”

This winter will see the star particularly busy.

“Britain’s Got More Talent – we start that again in January,” he said. “I finish here. Then we’ve got four days off and then we go into Britain’s Got More Talent.”

Mulhern also paid tribute to Dick Whittington writer and producer Paul Hendy – jokingly urging him to get a move on with the script.

“I honestly can’t wait. Can’t wait for a rehearsal. Can’t wait to get the script! Where is Hendy – I need to ask him!

“I try to get it around about September October time because I need a lot of time to learn it. We’ve already had various meetings about what we’re going to put in the show and that sort of stuff. So I know what’s in it. I just don’t know the words.”

Mr Hendy returned the compliment.

“It’s great to be working with Stephen Mulhern again who in my opinion is one of the best pantomime artists in the country,” he said.

“He’s just so good, such a natural entertainer. And a cast of West End stars. I don’t say this lightly, I think it’s going to be the best.”

Mr Hendy adds that this year he intends to build on the success of last Chrismas’s panto.

“It is difficult because last year’s show, Snow White, we had 96,000 people which was incredible,” he said.

“And I do sort of think, how are we going to top this? But we’ve got some great ideas, some great comedy ideas, but also some big spectacular ideas as well.

“Watch this space – it’s going to be big!”

Mr Hendy also hints that technology could be a feature.

“I’m a big believer that pantomime is a traditional thing but it has to evolve and you have to welcome new technologies and I’m always on the lookout for exciting new things,” he said.

“I’ve got a couple of things this year which I think will just make people go ‘wow – that is brilliant’ but I don’t want to say too much.

“All I’d say is it’s going to be big and it’s going to be funny.”