'NOW that every single mince pie has been eaten and Santa has gone back to the North Pole, it’s the dazzling pantomime season once again!  

We are so lucky to have some really amazing theatre groups right on our doorstep, like the good old Dawlish Rep, Teignmouth Players and the Shaldon panto too. 

I love a good pantomime. 

I always sit at the front row, as it’s where you get the best view of everything that happens and where the outrageous Dame flirts with your dad.  

From the smoke machines and corny jokes, to the cheesy songs and hilarious characters, the pantomime really is the absolute best place to be once the sparkle of Christmas has left, replaced by dark and dreary, wet days. 

One of the greatest pantomime moments I remember is being squirted by the back end of a cow at the Shaftesbury Theatre here in Dawlish, played by my cousin Lauren. 

I love that local faces pop up in pantomimes, like my teacher, the postman or the random guy from the butcher’s shop. 

It makes it funnier and makes it feel like it’s my community on stage entertaining us. 

I notice that there are more children starring in pantomimes this year, which is brilliant for carrying on this tradition and building up their confidence. 

I would love to be in a panto one day ... oh no I wouldn’t!  Oh yes I would! 

Huge well done to all the theatre groups who work so hard, for so long, to put together such wonderful shows.