THE more mature panto goer might recognise the cheeky face of this chap, who is to play the baddie in the Cliffs Pavilion's major panto of the year.

Robin Askwith, who shot to fame thanks to his starring role in Confessions of a Window Cleaner, will play alongside a celebrity cast in Jack and the Beanstalk.

The actor has appeared in numerous film and television roles since the 1960s, plus a huge number of stage roles, which have included panto.

Askwith's credits also include him appearing in the Carry On film, Carry On Girls and his autobiography, The Confessions of Robin Askwith. It was published by Ebury Press in 1999. The book documents his early life and acting career, the success of the Confessions films, and his relationship with the actress (and occasional Confessions co-star) Linda Hayden, his common-law wife during the 1970s.

He was later married to the actress Leonie Mellinger.

Jack and the Beanstalk opens on Saturday December 16 until Sunday January 7 at the venue in Station Road, Southend.

Visit southendtheatres.org.uk for booking and further information.

Q: Can you please tell us a brief bit about your role in Jack and the Beanstalk?

I’m playing Fleshcreep, the evil giant’s right hand man who causes all sorts of nasty things to happen to the Trot family. I’m like the Simon Cowell of the panto world and will make sure all the kiddies boo and hiss me. Behind it all I’m lovely really though, honest.

Q: What are your co-stars like?

The company we’ve got assembled at the Cliffs in fantastic, we have an amazing ensemble, backstage crew and band, and the staff at the theatre are wonderful too so we’re going to have a lot of fun this year. I’ve known Davro for years so we go way back and will have a laugh and having Lee Mead and Stacey Solomon with us is very special, especially as they’re so local and so well-loved.

Q: How will you be spending Christmas day this year?

I live in Malta and have done for a few years now so I’m actually really looking forward to a proper, cold, British Christmas with everything done properly. I’m staying in Southend for the panto run so I’m hoping to have a lie-in and find somewhere lovely for lunch with my partner and have an afternoon relaxing and resting so I’m fighting fit for the rest of the run.

Q: What’s best, giving or receiving gifts?

Giving presents, definitely! It’s what Christmas is about and the part I love the most.

Q: Do you get involved in cooking the Christmas dinner and if so, what’s your speciality?

When I’m at home and not working I usually get involved, but this year I’ve got the perfect excuse of not having my own kitchen so we’ll be heading out and finding somewhere for lunch. Any recommendations are welcome!

Q: How will you spend your New Year?

We’ve got two shows on New Year’s Eve which finish a bit earlier than normal so once we’ve sung Auld Lang Syne on stage at the Cliffs I’ll get out of my Fleshcreep gear and bring in 2018 with my loved ones and spend New Year’s Day with them too as we’ve got a day off.