The stars came out in the middle of the afternoon as Christmas was launched in Dartford.

The official launch of panto for the Orchard Theatre in Dartford, held at Acacia Hall, was met with glorious sunshine in the afternoon as the stars gathered.

And theatre director Chris Glover revealed that 60% of tickets for the show's run have already been sold.

There was some high kicking action as TV personality Louie Spence, dressed in a shocking pink outfit with plenty of leg on show, brought his larger than life character to proceedings as Dandini.

Former EastEnders star Michelle Collins, now also a producer and writer, prepared for the "boos" she may receive as the Wicked Stepmother in a glitzy black number and glare.

She said: "I love being a baddie - it's the best role in panto!"

Cinderella, which will be held from Saturday, December 9 to Sunday, December 31, also stars Jayne Wisener as Cinderela and Luke Kelly as Prince Charming.

Presenter and choreographer Louie pirouetted into the nation’s consciousness thanks to Sky One’s Pineapple Dance Studios and Louie Spence's Showbusiness.

After an extensive stage career in the likes of Miss Saigon and Cats, he has been a judge on ITV's Dancing on Ice and was a housemate in Celebrity Big Brother 12.

He revealed he had been on a retreat in Ibiza in preparation for panto. "You have got to be in really good shape for panto - you have to be able to give the best performance you possibly can."

Michelle played Cindy Beale for more than 10 years in the BBC soap EastEnders and has also played Stella Rice, landlady of Coronation Street's Rovers Return.

She will also be seen in the CBBC show The Dumping Ground, based on Jacqueline Wilson's bestselling stories, early next year.

Cinderella will be staged by Qdos Entertainment, the company responsible for the theatre's recordbreaking productions Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Dick Whittington.

It runs until Sunday, December 31. To book and for more details go to orchardtheatre.co.uk or call 01322 220000.