With Wet Wet Wet star Marti Pellow leading the cast as the evil Abanazar, Dartford's Orchard Theatre is in full panto mode. We caught up with stars Ricky K & David Robbins to talk wigs, six-packs and getting spotted in Greggs.

Britain’s Got Talent, Greggs and making wigs - there’s plenty to talk about with two of the stars of the panto in Dartford, Ricky K, who plays Wishee Washee and David Robbins, who is starring as Widow Twankey.

The pair are starring alongside BRIT and Ivor Novello award-winning artist Marti Pellow - former frontman of Wet Wet Wet and star of Evita and Blood Brothers, who plays evil sorcerer Abanazar in the show by Qdos Entertainment at the Orchard Theatre.

Between them they have done 28 pantomimes.

Ricky, whose big break came on ITV's Britain's Got Talent, said of the TV talent show: "It was a great experience and loads of people recognise me now in Greggs, which I’m very excited about. I did the show to get my routine out to a wider audience. I mean, it’s had 8 million views now and that’s just my mum! It’s so lovely because it means I get to do pantos with great casts at Christmas and then I get to do my show through the year too.

"There’s a misconception with Britain’s Got Talent, that people think I didn’t perform before the show. I’m a trained dancer and dance teacher. I’ve been doing it for 20 years!"

Pantos across Kent this Christmas: read our guide here

David trained on a stage management course and specialised in costume and props, working as a "wiggie" in theatre.

"I don't make everything now as I don’t have the time but I have a hand in it," he said. " I oversee and design and if I can make anything I will. I do make all my wigs. It used to be that a lot of dames made their own costumes, wigs and accessories."

He's been playing dames - specifically an ugly sister - for 13 years.

So what do they think is the enduring appeal of pantomime?

Ricky said: "Panto is one of the first things you see and it’s often your first introduction to the theatre… It really is the magic of panto!" while David added: "You go with your family so a lot of the kids, especially the little ones, aren’t as scared because they’re with their family. It gives kids an insight into possibly becoming a performer. If that dies out, there’ll be no theatre so we need to spark interest across the board."

So what is Ricky most looking forward to about being in Dartford over Christmas?

"I’m excited to go in TK Maxx, I spotted it on the way in."

DETAILS

Running at the Orchard Theatre until Sunday, December 30, Aladdin has audience participation, special effects and a wish-granting genie. To book tickets visit orchardtheatre.co.uk or call 01322 220000.