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Is Christmas Day all about presents and onesies in your house? Here, the stars share how they spend their day.
She’s about to star as an all-singing, all-dancing nun, but Alexandra Burke doesn’t confine caring, sharing and selfless acts to the stage. The commercialism of Christmas is secondary for the 2008 X Factor winner to being close to her family and helping others.
“I never work on Christmas Day,” she said. “Me and my family actually have a tradition which I’ve never talked about before. We go and help at a soup kitchen for the homeless in London – it feeds homeless people in the West End. I introduced it to my family and now, in December, we go about three times in the month.
“To be honest, I really don’t want any special presents. I just want a happy day with my family.”
Currently touring as Deloris Van Cartier in the musical comedy Sister Act, which comes to Dartford’s Orchard Theatre at New Year, she has had her first taste of being choreographed by Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood.
“I think he is fantastic,” she said. “He works very, very hard and he is a wonderful director and choreographer. He is really supportive as well.
“I found it quite nerve-racking taking Sister Act on. Everything I do is nerve-racking for me and this was the most nerve-racking to do, mainly because of the comedy. I read the script and there was a little bit of me that really enjoys trying to be funny, so I so wanted to do the role justice and gave it everything.
“I don’t really like touring and being away from home, but I really enjoy seeing people smiling and loving the show.”
Musical comedy Sister Act, directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood, is at The Orchard Theatre, Dartford, from Monday, January 2, to Saturday, January 7, 2017. For tickets, from £22.50, visit orchardtheatre.co.uk or call 01322 220000.
Coming from a big Irish family, singer Shane Filan is an even bigger fan of Christmas.
Having recently finished his Right Here tour – during which he played at the Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells – he’s all set for the big day.
“I usually take three or four weeks off, so I can be with my family,” he said. “I love Christmas – it’s my favourite part of the year.”
Shane, who has two sons and a daughter with his wife, said: “I’ll definitely be at home for Christmas. It’s about the kids and Santa. As a family, we’re very close.
“I’ll be at home on Christmas Day with my wife and the kids. Then on Boxing Day or the day after we always go out all together – I have six brothers and sisters. We have to find somewhere pretty big to get us all in!”
Former EastEnders star Louisa Lytton, who is starring in Sleeping Beauty at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone, will, like panto stars around the country, be looking forward to a day off on Christmas Day.
“My perfect Christmas Day this year will be a day off,” she said. “Snuggled up in my pyjamas with my slippers on and having my family together and relaxing would be the perfect day. I will definitely need to relax as I’ll be quite tired this year.”
Former Fatboy from EastEnders Ricky Norwood will be packing in the family visits on Christmas Day, with his day off from the Stag Theatre’s panto in Sevenoaks, Sleeping Beauty.
“It will be a day off, so I will try and rest. I’ll go round my mum’s house and have a little something there, then go and see my dad. Towards the evening I’ll have dinner with my girlfriend and we’ll watch some Christmas movies – perfect. There’s also a Playstation game I’m really hoping for...”
Actress Su Pollard will be hanging up her Wicked Queen costume for the day and escaping family-friendly festivities in favour of a more grown-up affair.
“I will spend it with my friend from Blackpool. I have known him years and I was at Blackpool last year to see him for Christmas Day. I do like Christmas, but definitely no cooking for me – I get everything from M&S. There also won’t be a child in sight: I get my kids kick at the panto.”
Former Blue member Antony Costa loves nothing more than being at home for Christmas.
The singer-turned-actor, who is starring as Fleshcreep in Jack And The Beanstalk at The Woodville in Gravesend, said: “I get Christmas Day off and will spend it with the family, relaxing.
"I love Christmas. I look forward to it: that Christmas spirit, everyone wanting to enjoy them-selves. It’s brilliant.”
Mark King, lead singer of 1980s band Level 42, who performed at Margate Winter Gardens in October, will be a long way from home – although it is also a second home to him.
Mark, who had hits with Lessons In Love and Running in the Family, said: “I’ve got a second home in St Lucia and I go there at Christmas with the family. You get to have breakfast by the sea, it’s beautiful. It doesn’t feel like we’re away from home as we go there every year. I’ve been very lucky in life, really.”
Canterbury’s own dame extraordinaire Ben Roddy – starring at the Marlowe Theatre again this year in Dick Whittington – may be starring in panto but, unlike many of his acting friends, is able to stay at home all the way through his panto run, as he lives a five- minute walk away from the theatre.
He said: “Christmas Day does have more value as a day off when you’re in panto, but I am at home, of course, every night. My son will be five just before Christmas, so it’s a great time for us. We will go for a long walk by the sea in Whitstable on Christmas Day, then eat and drink loads and, I should think, I will fall asleep by about 5pm!
“That is about as good as it gets in life.”
