From the East End to Sherwood Forest

And now Shane Richie and Jessie Wallace are reunited in their first panto together – with Shane in the title role of Robin Hood and Jessie as Maid Marion.

They star in the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton’s annual festive show alongside Hi-De-Hi! star Jeffrey Holland.

Earlier this year the pair worked together in a theatrical adaptation of thriller writer Peter James’s hit novel, A Perfect Murder.

Shane said: ‘That was quite dark and we were playing against type.

‘This is like someone said go and dress up and go and have a laugh. Coming to pantomime, it’s like the shackles come off - what can we do today, what can we play with today?

‘I love coming here to the Mayflower, I’ve been here loads, doing Scrooged, Boogie Nights, my stand-up, but never in panto.’

It will only be Jessie’s second panto after she made her debut last year as the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella in Hastings.

She added: ‘This feels like playtime, and I’ve missed working with Shane.’

Tickets cost from £15 to £39. Go to mayflower.org.uk