THE CHASE is on for panto tickets as Bradley Walsh gears up to play Buttons in Cinderella at The Orchard in Dartford.

Tickets are shifting fast for show, which also stars West End actress Louise English as the Fairy Godmotherand Barry Hester as Dandini, and runs from December 14 to January 4.

After two years away from panto, the star of The Chase and Law and Order UK is looking forward to getting back on stage.

He said: “I can’t wait to get cracking on it. I’m really looking forward to it.

“I wanted to work at Christmas again, I love it. It’s the only time of the year doing my job that I really get to let my hair down. Law and Order is very serious and the Chase has to be very disciplined.

“This is the only time I can really let my hair down and go for it.

“Christmas is a time for families, a time for reflection and a time for being with people you know and like and it I think it is the most fantastic time of year. I’m thrilled and excited, I really am.”

Before the panto season gets underway, Bradley has plenty to keep him busy – with more of The Chase and Law and Order UK on the horizon – and he loved the variety in his job.

He said: “I enjoy being in the position I am, I’m very fortunate. That’s the reason I got into the industry, to do variety.

“I love all the different aspects of it, I really do. Every day is a new day so it is brilliant.”

And the success of the quiz show came as no surprise to the showbiz veteran. He said: “I remember seeing it on a bit of paper that was handed to me in an office and I thought ‘this sounds cool’. We did an office run-through and we all turn to each other and saw it has legs and we could see it working.”

Bradley also has fond memories of Corrie and is not ruling out a comeback, though it won’t be any time soon.

He said: “At the moment I’m far too busy, but you never know.

“Being Corrie was great. It led on to other things and I’m grateful for being in it. It was hard work.

“I asked them not to kill me off as part of my contract with ITV. I was on a handcuff deal with ITV, and I asked as part of that deal that they didn’t kill me off.

“Bill Tarmey, who played Jack Duckworth, once said to me ‘don’t let them kill you off, son, because one day that could be your pension.”

Go to theorchard.co.uk or call 01322 220000.