ASK a hundred people what they’re eating for Christmas dinner and we’ll see what’s at the top of the board.

If turkey’s not up there, I’ll give you the money myself.

With that in mind, Vibe asked former Family Fortunes presenter turned actor and recent Celebrity Masterchef revelation Les Dennis for advice on how to make Christmas dinner a good ‘un.

He said: “I was going to cook a goose this year but there’s too many of us so I’m going to cook a turkey again.

“Basically, everybody gets uptight about Christmas lunch but it is just another meal.

“Enjoy the cooking of it and make sure you baste your turkey well because you don’t want it to be too dry.”

As for leftovers the next day, Les has plenty of ideas too.

“There are always curries and fricassees and that stuff.

“My sister does a kind of bubble and squeak the next day with all the leftovers and carrot and swede and stuff so that’s always nice.”

Of course, the reason we’re chatting to Les is not because he is a dab hand with the poultry.

Having just finished a run as King Arthur in Spamalot in the West End, as well as his third place finish in Celebrity Masterchef, the 60-year-old is rehearsing for The Perfect Murder – a stage adaptation of

Peter James’ bestselling novel, which has its world premiere at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford on January 8.

Les, who helped switch on the town’s Christmas lights this year, said: “It is like a Joe Orton play.

“It’s black comedy. It is comic but it’s a murder.

“There are some places, I think, where the audience will have their hearts in their mouths. And parts where they’ll be laughing heartily, I hope.”

He added: “It’s a very strong cast, Peter James is on hand as the novelist and Shaun McKenna has done a great job turning it into a play.

“For me, it is interesting because it is probably the first time other than the one-man show I did last year that I have created the character.

“It’s a new play, it’s uncharted territory and I’m kind of creating this guy, so that’s lovely.

“Whereas with Spamalot I could go and see it, I can’t go and see this because we will be the first performers of it.”

Les Dennis stars in The Perfect Murder at the Orchard Theatre from January 8 to 11. Tickets cost £10 to £25. Go to orchardtheatre.co.uk or call 01322 220000.

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