Pantomimes

The Chase star Jenny Ryan has been inundated with support as she shared an exciting update

Jenny Ryan, star of The Chase, has received an outpouring of support as she shared some thrilling news unrelated to her ITV role.

The 43 year old quiz aficionado took to Instagram to post a photo of herself dressed as the Wicked Fairy Carabosse, announcing that the first performances of Sleeping Beauty had commenced at Wyvern Theatre in Swindon.

Jenny has been cast as the Wicked Fairy Carabosse in the pantomime Sleeping Beauty, sharing the stage with David Ashley and Ben Goffe.

The plot teases: “When the wicked fairy Carabosse’s evil curse causes the Princess to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and fall into an enchanted sleep, can anyone rescue her from the magical slumber before it is too late?

“Make your dreams come true this Christmas and visit the Wyvern Theatre to see Sleeping Beauty.”, reports Bristol Live.

Sharing a snapshot of herself in character as the Wicked Fairy Carabosse, Jenny excitedly wrote: “We are OPEN!”.

“See me and a spectacular cast in Sleeping Beauty at @wyverntheatre in Swindon from now until 4th January #panto #swindonpanto.”

Jenny’s 92.2K followers were quick to show their support. One fan commented: “Awww you look beautiful Jenny good luck xxxx”.

Another follower said: “Good luck for tonight and for the rest of the panto season”, while another added: “We saw you on Saturday. Such a great show and you are an amazing singer xx”. Another fan chimed in with: “You were BRILLIANT.”

Meanwhile, another supporter wrote: “Good luck and have a brilliant season xxx”, and yet another wished her: “Have a wonderful run xxx”.

Another commented: “You look lovely Jenny have a wonderful time” whilst a different person gushed: “Hi sweetheart you look fabulous xx.”

Jenny is widely recognised as The Vixen on The Chase, but beyond the ITV quiz show, the star boasts remarkable singing, musical and theatrical abilities.

The ITV personality first demonstrated her vocal prowess when she took part in The X Factor: Celebrity back in 2019.

Since then, Jenny has graced numerous pantomime stages, portraying the Wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Darlington Hippodrome in 2023 and The Enchantress in Beauty and the Beast at the Crewe Lyceum Theatre in 2024.

The Santa Sleepover package at Alton Towers is jam packed with festive fun. The panto jokes were just one of many highlights

“In 2005, I was crowned most beautiful princess,” boasted one of the ugly sisters before trying on Cinderella’s lost slipper.

“Oh yeah,” said Buttons. “Where did you get that title – Crufts?!”

Cue uncontrollable laughter from my eight year old son, who was left literally creasing in his seat. It was one of two jokes in the Cinderella pantomime at Alton Towers that set him off belly laughing. The other was similarly offensive – in a good way, of course.

“You two look like movie stars,” Buttons told the ugly sisters. “Oh thanks very much,” said one of the nasty pair. “Which movie?” To which Buttons replied: “Shrek!”

The panto, which was just as big a hit with my six year old daughter, was part of the resort’s brilliant and incredibly Christmassy Santa Sleepover package.

On day one, you get one-day entry to the Alton Towers theme park, with a selection of family attractions, including the UK’s only CBeebies Land.

You also get a visit to Santa’s Grotto, panto tickets, a festive dinner and entertainment, and overnight stay in one of the resort’s themed hotels.

Day two kicks off with a buffet breakfast, before a stint in the waterpark and nine holes of crazy golf.

And with prices from £91 per person, it really does give you bang for your buck.

To put things into perspective, a visit to Santa’s Grotto elsewhere is likely to cost between £15 and £20 per child and panto tickets will set you back at least £25 each in most cases. The Santa Sleepover package is undeniably fantastic value.

For us – myself, my wife and two kids – the first day was a washout, but not even the relentless rain could dampen our festive spirit. The live show, The Sprout Who Saved Christmas, was just the thing to get us in the mood. Singing, dancing, suitably cheesy jokes and a smattering of fake snow in the finale – the whole thing was done to a high standard.

In CBeebies Land, I had lots of fun shooting and being shot by the children using the gun-like contraptions in the chaotic Justin’s House, the Pie-O-Matic Factory. The Octonauts rollercoaster, Peter Rabbit, Go Jetters and Treetop Adventure rides, as well as the JoJo & Gran At Home attraction were also among our favourites.

And when things got a bit too wet, even for the hardiest among us, we headed over to the pirate-themed Mutiny Bay, where we took shelter in the amusement arcade and ultimately struggled to pull ourselves away from the 2p machines.

Next it was time to check in to the Alton Towers hotel, which as far as the kids were concerned was an attraction in itself. From the fictional Sir Algenon Alton’s incredible flying machine in the lobby to the arctic explorer themed rooms, it’s an unrelenting attack on the senses that keeps the children entertained and mesmerised at every turn.

Between checking in and dinner, there was just enough time for the children to write their letters to Santa and post them in the special postbox in reception. In one of a few nice magical touches, personalised letters back from Santa are surreptitiously pushed under your room’s door the next morning.

Dinner, unsurprisingly, is a festive meal with all the trimmings – and tables complete with crackers.

I’ve been to a lot of pantos over the years and I can honestly say this one, Cinderella, was right up there with the best. Just the right level of camp, crude and cheeky, it was the perfect end to a fun-filled day.

Now, two-and-a-half hours in an indoor waterpark might not scream Christmas, but honestly, who cares? Our visit just after breakfast to the attraction inside the Splash Landings hotel, was a definite highlight. If you’re struggling to wake up, the Master Blaster and Rush ‘N’ Rampage slides will certainly do the trick. But if you need a rest, the Lazy River is a better option.

You’ll need to save a little bit of energy, just enough to get you through nine holes of Extraordinary Golf.

And if you’re not in the Christmas spirit after all that, there really is no hope for you.

• The Santa Sleepover package is available on selected dates between November 28 and December 24. To find out more and book your break, go to the Alton Towers website.