Former Blue singer turned actor Antony Costa talks being a baddie and the British film industry as he stars in Gravesend's panto this year.

Antony Costa lived a jet-set lifestyle as one of the pin-ups in boyband Blue, singing to thousands around the world.

But today it’s all about acting for Antony, who lives in Essex with his wife Rosanna and young daughter.

Fresh from touring with the nostalgic show set in the summer of ’63, Save the Last Dance For Me, which showed off his singing and acting skills, the 35-year-old is keen to flex his acting muscles in panto.

He said: “We toured the country for a few months with Save the Last Dance and the audiences were great. It was a lovely show to be a part of, but I’m so much more into the acting these days.”

He will play Fleshcreep in Jack and the Beanstalk in Gravesend this Christmas.

“This is the first time I have played a baddie in panto and I cannot wait! I hope the audience like it.

“The show’s producer said he thought I was a Prince Charming when he came to see me. I said to him ‘I ain’t no Prince Charming, mate’.

Later, after seeing the show I was in, he came up to me and said ‘You’ve done a great job, but you’re right, you’re not a prince’.

“So that’s how I got to be a baddie and now I just want to get booed!”

Aside from panto, Antony has several film projects.

“I love the British film industry,” he said. “I’m an evil gangster in Bromley Boys – it’s a British gangster vampire. It’s quite a big part for me and it’s brilliant.”

He adds: “If Hollywood came calling, I’d grab it with both hands. I’d also jump at EastEnders. I’d love to be given that opportunity.”

As an Essex lad, he will be able to travel from home to Gravesend but also hopes to stay in the town some of the time.

A perfect panto fan, Christmas is his thing: “I love Christmas! All that festive spirit and everyone wanting to enjoy themselves. It’s great.”

Antony is starring alongside Olivier Award-winning West End actress Leanne Jones, who lives in Gravesend and is best known for her performance as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray.

The Voice finalist Jaz Ellington makes his panto debut as King Crumble, while topping off the cast is local panto duo Payne and Pearce.

DETAILS

Jack and the Beanstalk will be at The Woodville, Gravesend, until Monday, January 2.
To book tickets, visit woodville.co.uk or call 08442 439480.

Read our review of the show here.