Theatre star Carrie Hope Fletcher is swapping the West End stage for a panto villain this Christmas.

The actor, who is also known for her YouTube vlogs and best-selling novels, is making her panto debut as Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury.

“Not only is this my panto debut, but it’s my villain debut as well,” says the 30-year-old, who has starred in musicals such as Les Misérables and Heathers. “I think deep down every actor wants to play a villain - especially in a panto where you have licence to terrify little children!”

Carrie has prepared herself for being booed by the kids at this year’s panto, and is even expecting her own family to get involved.

“Boo me as loud as you possibly can - I’ll be furious if you don’t!” she exclaims. “I think all three of [my nephews] will love the fact that I’m playing the villain. They’re all big Star Wars fans and they always root for the Stormtroopers so I can't wait for them to come and see it.”

While Carrie hopes her brother, McFly band member Tom Fletcher, will bring the family to see Sleeping Beauty, pantomimes were not part of the Fletchers’ Christmas traditions when the two of them were growing up.

In fact, Carrie didn’t see her first panto until she was 19 years old.

“I loved it so much,” she reminisces. “I felt a little bit weird being able to sing along and shout out and actually participate, because I was so used to musical theatre where you’re not allowed to do that. I was like, are you sure I’m allowed to shout ‘he’s behind you’? Is that okay? But I loved it.”

Despite panto not being part of her childhood, Carrie, who is a big fan of all things Christmas, is feeling grateful that she gets to indulge in the festivities as an adult this year.

“Whether you’re two years old or 92 years old, the whole family can get together at Christmas and come,” says the WhatsOnStage Award-winner. “The fact that it’s around Christmas is an opportunity for families to get together. And the stories have such amazing messages at their core, I think no matter how many years pass, those messages are still going to be relevant.

“Even though you’ve got flamboyant characters like Carabosse, and magical, mythical creatures, the messages are so human and I think that’s what keeps people coming back.”

For Carrie, whose work has included more serious theatre roles such as Éponine in Les Misérables and, more recently, Grusha Vashnadze in the Caucasian Chalk Circle, she is hoping that her panto debut will give her some much-needed light relief.

“I think panto will be a real breath of fresh air to suddenly come in and do something that’s really, really fun,” she says. “To have audiences being able to participate and shout and cheer and boo and hiss is just going to be great.”

After winning the award for the UK’s Best Pantomime last year, audiences are expecting big things from the Marlowe Theatre pantomime this winter.

Luckily, Carrie sounds certain that this year’s production is another fantastic show for audiences of all ages.

“It’s so much fun!” laughs Carrie. “It’s an opportunity to see celebrities like Ore [Oduba] and Jennie Dale do something that maybe you haven't seen them do before. I’m a big fan of old school fairy tales, so I cannot wait!

“Plus, you don’t have to worry about your kids being loud during the show - they’re allowed to be! This is the one opportunity for them to shout as loud as they possibly can.”

And how will Carrie fill her time - when she’s not performing on stage as the wicked Carabosse - during her eight-week stay in the Kent city?

“Canterbury is such a beautiful place. I hear you’ve got some lovely Christmas markets, so I’m definitely going to do a bit of exploring!”

Sleeping Beauty is at the Marlowe Theatre from Friday, November 25 to Sunday, January 8. Book online here or call 01227 787787.

Tickets start from £15, with discounts available for Marlowe members.