Jeff Brazier is flying high as Peter Pan, but his biggest role is being dad to his kids

The ITV presenter and reality TV star is set to don the green tights and fairy dust for the Princes Theatre’s pantomime in Clacton.

But while he admits he is always nervous before a show, the opinions he cares most about are that of his children, Bobby, ten, and Freddie, nine.

“They will love watching this,” he says.

“Bobby goes to performing arts school – he will be critiquing me, or I’m hoping he will pick some tips up from me or the cast.

“The boys couldn’t care less about seeing me on television, I don’t watch myself back too much.

“We sit like any other family watching TV like it’s a gogglebox.

“This they will appreciate is quite different for me though, as they’re not used to me singing.”

Jeff, 34, was born and raised in Essex, going to Thurstable School and moving to Tiptree aged 12.

“We used to go to St Osyth on the caravan park,” he says.

“My kids love the caravan more than going on holiday abroad.

“It’s been tough bringing them up, but they are doing well at school and are well-adjusted young boys.”

Jeff became the sole carer for his sons when his former partner and Big Brother star Jade Goody lost her short battle with cervical cancer in 2009.

Since then he has battled to keep them out of the public eye, even getting a court order to ban pictures of them being published.

Jeff says: “The ban was to ensure they are well-adjusted, despite the loss of their mum.

“It was to give them a normal childhood, which they couldn’t have if they were being chased by paps all the time.

“Being in the spotlight is really difficult for adults.

“I’ve seen people who have got fame a bit too quickly and it’s gone wrong for them.

“You can’t expect a four or five-year-old to understand why people are taking pictures of them and asking questions.

“If they want to be in the media in the future, then that can be their choice.

“It was the first and biggest decision I had to make, but it was common sense.”

Despite his career on television, Jeff makes a conscious effort not to take too much time away from his family.

“The time we have spent apart has been minimal,” he says. “I can’t take jobs that would take me away for more than a month.

“Panto is offered every year and people get paid well for panto, but it’s not about the money, it’s about doing the right thing for my family.

“I did Aladdin seven years ago, and I enjoyed that, but being a single parent with two boys means December is an important time of year.

“Going and doing something for four weeks away from home isn’t something I’ve entertained before.

“But this one is really close by and I can go back home of a night if I want to. It’s something we will all enjoy.”

Jeff’s own estranged father passed away when he was a child during the disastrous sinking of pleasure boat Marchioness on the River Thames in 1989.

Before his showbiz career began, he played football for teams including Grays Athletic and Leyton Orient.

He says: “I was playing football at the time for Grays and my friend had been on the second series of Shipwrecked.

“He came back and was a really different person, all in good ways. I thought to myself it would be great to go on that, but you always think someone else will get it.

“It was before the big wave of reality TV – no one had gone from reality TV to presenting.”

But it was two years back in normal life, working for a council regeneration department in London before he got his first break.

Jeff says: “I got a phone call from Channel 4 asking me to audition for Dirty Laundry. We had to go to a shopping centre and do vox pops.

“I was one of 25 trying for the part, It was just chatting to people, so I found it quite easy. I’ve always been a good talker. I got the job and that was the start of my presenting career. It’s been fantastic.”

Being in the panto is something very different for the television show host, but he is relishing the challenge.

He says: “It’s a good thing for me that I look younger than I am. I act younger, too, and having young children keeps me young. So Peter Pan should be a good role for me.

“And this for me is good, doing the performance side. If you are confident singing and dancing, it’s an extra string to your bow.

“I love dancing and I really enjoy singing secretly.

“It’s not something everybody knows about, but when there is karaoke I’m not one to shy away.

“There are some really lovely songs in this panto. My favourite is Peter Andre’s Perfect Night where I sing a duet with Wendy.

“It has lovely lyrics and I enjoy singing it.”

 Jeff Brazier will appear as Peter Pan at the Princes Theatre, Station Road, Clacton, from December 14 until January 1. Tickets are £12.50, £11 for concessions with further discounts for families and schools. To book or for show times, call 01255 686633 or visit essex-live.co.uk