You’ll have seen him on the small screen, but now you can see Gary Damer in lifesize when he treads the boards in the Christmas pantomime at Maidstone’s Hazlitt Theatre. Angela Cole meets the star of CBBC’s Hotel Trubble.

If you think Gary Damer looks familiar, then you’d be right.

The actor was a fresh-faced and ginger-haired youngster when he starred in the long-running TV soap Coronation Street, playing Wayne Hayes, between 2000 and 2001.

The seasoned pro’s career started at the tender age of seven, when he was attending David Johnson acting classes in Manchester. While there, he landed some big roles, including his part in Coronation Street, and after 12 years with the classes, he went on to study Performing Arts at Bury College.

Now he is all grown up, and still starring in some big productions. He may still be only 23 but he has quite an impressive list of credits to his name, including the 1999 film East of East and Channel 4’s new series Fresh Meat.

But for young audience members at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone this Christmas, it will be his starring role as Lenny in CBBC’s Hotel Trubble which will make him a familiar face to them.

As the jokey Wishee Washee, you can expect plenty of laughs and gags from him but Gary has an admission

“I am actually quite nervous and shy,” he said.

“I find meeting new people quite nerve wracking. I think people think because of the characters I play that I must be dead out-going and confident, but I’m not.

“I do tend to hide behind the acting and making people laugh. I think I’m quite good at that.”

On first meeting the other cast members of Aladdin, he admits he was very nervous, but is now well at home with all of them, including Holby City’s Jeremy Edwards as Aladdin and Emmerdale’s Sapphire Elia as the Princess. The cast are currently in rehearsals for the pantomime, which begins its run on Saturday, December 3.

Once he is on stage, however, he is a different animal, and his role as Wishee Washee gives him an opportunity to do what he does best as an actor – show off.

“I am nervous, but at the same time I am quite a show off. I don’t like to admit it,” he says, adding: “but it helps as an actor.”

"I'm right up for a laugh"

Former Holby City and Hollyoaks heartthrob, Jeremy Edwards, plays the starring role in Aladdin in this year’s Christmas panto in Maidstone.

“I am a bit of a joker; I want to be able to rib the others,” he said. “I think I can get away with doing the odd gag. The audience will like that, I hope.”

The panto first-timer added: “It is supposed to be really fun – everyone says it. It is hard work but you don’t have to take it too seriously.”

He said: “I love being on stage. I got to be funny in Marlon Brando’s Corset, it’s good to do comedy.”

He is relishing the chance to get to know Maidstone during his eight-week stay.

“I really enjoy meeting new people and discovering new places,” he said.

“I’ve already been looking around and thinking 'that could be my pub. That looks like a different cafe, it’s interesting’.”

He added: “I have got crowds of people coming down to see it. Think of the extra revenue Maidstone will get!”

Aladdin, presented by Blue Genie Entertainment, runs at the Hazlitt in Earl Street, Maidstone, until Sunday, January 15. There are 85 performances of the show and organisers have added an extra week to this year’s run as last year was virtually sold out. Tickets cost from £12.50 for children and seniors off peak and £13.50 for adults off peak. There are discounts for group bookings. For details call the box office on 01622 758611 or visit www.maidstonepanto.co.uk