Cinders in fandabidozi panto

:: This review originally appeared on the Shropshire Star website on 16th December 2009 ::

Who’d have thought it – the Krankies are massively popular again. Oh yes they are!

Back for an all-star panto run of Cinderella at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre and playing Baron Hardup and Buttons, the comedy double act’s resurrection is nothing short of a fairytale.

Then again, their childish messing about and adolescent jokes are simply the perfect ingredients for pantomime, and this production of the Christmas favourite is truly magical, hitting the perfect balance between tickling the kids’ funny bones while at the same time playing to the adults – kind of like the Simpsons, only with Ian Krankie as Homer and Jimmy Krankie as Bart.

We all know the Cinderella story – it’s how we get to what we know that sets a panto apart. And this version of the family classic does it with some style.

Fabulous outfits, spellbinding sets and magic befitting of the wand of any fairy godmother who dishes out wishes and makes them come true.

Neighbours star Stefan Dennis plays the ghastly Dandini who tries to scupper the prince’s plans to wed Cinders, while X Factor star Niki Evans shows her true talent as the Fairy Godmother.

Add into the mix fun, frolics, a flying horse and, fresh from his TV commercial, Churchill the dog, and we have a Christmas panto with bells on.

But really it’s the Krankies who make this a family show to behold. At one point, wee Jimmy Krankie tries to gatecrash the ball by dressing up as Britain’s Got Talent sensation Susan Boyle, complete with hairy eyebrows, and the result is truly hilarious. We even get to see Sue-Bo naked.

As they say in Krankyland: this panto is fandabidozi- oh yes it is!

Another wacky and wonderful seasonal show

:: This article originally appeared on The Shuttle website on 16th December 2009 ::

THE queen of British variety is back for another wacky and wonderful seasonal show at this Black Country theatrical gem.

Janette Krankie, who this year celebrated 40 years of marriage to partner in comedy crime Ian, lights up the stage with every appearance, whether it’s as Cinderella’s trusty chum Buttons, cheeky Wee Jimmy Krankie, foul-mouthed Ozzy Osbourne or fellow Scottish sensation Susan Boyle, complete with Denis Healey eyebrows and an incontinent cat.

Her ab libs and timing are as sharp as ever. I loved her comment to a weeping Cinderella that “it could be worse, you could be watching Joe Pasquale at the Birmingham Hippodrome” - a reference to the Grand’s West Midlands panto rival.

Janette receives strong support throughout in this excellent show. Neighbours baddie Stefan Dennis hams it up as treacherous Dandini while Danielle York is a sweet Cinders.

Ben Stock and Nathan Kiley get plenty of laughs as ugly sisters Trinny and Susannah, whose over the top costumes would make Gok Wan faint and Nic Greenshields’s Prince Charming is suitably dashing - though very tall!

And I was really impressed by the Midlands’ own Niki Evans, whose bubbly personality shines through in her Fairy Godmother role. She gets the best songs, too.

A fab, festive night out with songs, chuckles and something for all ages. The flying horse that closes act one has to be seen to be believed.

- Teresa Phillips

Audience has a ball as jokes are Krankied up

:: This review originally appeared on the Express & Star website on 16th December 2009 ::

Explosions, a flying horse, a fairy godmother with a thick Brummie twang and The Krankies in fine form – panto season in Wolverhampton is well and truly underway.

Thousands of visitors both young and old will flock to the city’s Grand Theatre over the next month-and-a-half to check out this year’s offering of Cinderella.

Billed as ‘the greatest panto of them all’, Cinderella has everything you could want, or indeed expect, from a pantomime, from the dastardly evil villain, the dashing prince, the sugary-sweet leading lady and plenty of slapstick comedy.

This was provided mainly by The Krankies, whose energetic, high-spirited and charming performance made them a big hit with last night’s audience. It was Janette Krankie’s uncanny portrayal of Britain’s Got Talent finalist Susan Boyle that sparked the biggest laugh of the night.

Recreating SuBo’s now infamous first audition, she donned a wig, thick black eyebrows and her best singing voice to take off her fellow Scot with ease. Neighbours villain Stefan Dennis, best known for his role as Paul Robinson, fitted the role of Dandini well, played with a Gollum-esque feel.

His scheming was matched only by that of the ugly sisters, aka Trinny and Susannah, played by Ben Stock and Nathan Kiley.

The beautiful Danielle York, playing Cinderella was just as you would expect the pantomime princess to be – enchanting, gentle and sickly sweet. She was well-matched with her Prince Charming, the impossibly tall Nic Greenshields.

Former X Factor semi-finalist Niki Evans played the Fairy Godmother. Her vocals were impressive throughout.

The backdrops were well thought-out and seamlessly engineered. But it was a flying horse and carriage, whisking Cinderella to the ball at the end of the first half, that was most impressive. This year’s panto is everything it should be – heckles and insults were merrily banded about and the crowd left smiling. And that’s just the way we like it. Oh yes we do.

- Catherine Dalton

If you think The Krankies are just an act from the past, forget it!

:: This review originally appeared in the Walsall Advertiser on 16th December 2009 ::

TINY Janette Krankie has become a giant of the pantomime scene, and she is back in the Black Country with husband, Ian, to delight audiences at the Grand.

Now in her 60s, she is a gleaming bright Buttons and a laugh-a-minute star who simply carries the show with her jokes and sketches, sometimes living up to her cheeky reputation as the 'Dirty Wee Boy'.

If you think The Krankies are just an act from the past, forget it. In these days of so-called alternative comedy they are a breath of fresh air, and two scenes where Janette comes on stage in black wig and shades as Ozzy Osbourne - expletives bleeped out - then as a mini Susan Boyle, singing I Dreamed a Dream, are quite brilliant.

Ian, as Baron Hardup, plays his part, too, as the straight man of the pair and joins his better half in a very funny sketch with a bunch of ghosts.

Former X Factor semi-finalist Niki Evans is a confident Fairy Godmother with a Black Country accent, and a spectacular new twist to the scene where she creates a coach from a pumpkin sees a winged Pegasus fly above stage taking Cinderella (Danielle York) to the glitzy ball.

Ben Stock and Nathan Kiley impress as the Ugly Sisters with an amazing wardrobe of colourful costumes to die for... or die from! Neighbours star Stefan Dennis is Dandini, unusually cast as the panto villain, with Nic Greenshields playing Prince Charming. Even the insurance dog, Churchill, turns up

At times the orchestra, directed by David Lane, is a little too powerful, but Wee Janette is the 'big noise' that matters.

- Paul Marston

Ugly truth of how to prepare for sisters role

:: This video originally appeared on the Express & Star website on 16th December 2009 ::

From the bright, red lipstick to the ghastly frocks, Ben Stock and Nathan Kiley definitely look the part as the ghastly Ugly Sisters in this year’s pantomime Cinderella at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre.

But it’s not such a simple task to look this bad and appear, well, ugly.

The pair, who play Trinny and Susannah in the family show, have to painstakingly apply their own make-up for every show, and it’s not an easy task – especially since they were given no training.

Ben said: “No-one showed us how to apply the make-up we just made it up at home,” he said. “It took a lot of practice.” To transform into the show’s baddies, Ben and Nathan have to use wax on their eyebrows, apply very heavy eye make-up and add on the customary beauty spot to their faces.

And they have up to six costume changes for one show, which includes changing into different tights, shoes, dresses and wigs – not so easy if you happen to be a couple of blokes. Nathan added: “We went make-up shopping with a friend which was quite comical.

“We also have outrageous outfits and vulgar colours for our eyes.”

They have to don ghastly dresses and totter around the stage in high heels.

A fractured finger makes the process even harder for Ben, who also sprained his ankle two weeks ago.

“The show must go on,” he added.

Go and see Cinderella - you'll have a ball!

:: This review originally appeared in the Wolverhampton Chronicle on 14th December 2009 ::

COMEDY duo The Krankies round-off their hat-trick of Grand pantos with the best yet, a version of Cinderella that's full of cheeky humour and top tunes.

The fandabidozi duo, as Baron Hardup and Buttons, are the nation's top panto pros and their naughty-but-nice humour had the kids in stitches - and the parents too when 'Wee Jimmy' did his impressions of Susan Boyle and Ozzy Osbourne.

And this panto has got the X-Factor... excellent singers in Tamworth's former X-Factor semi finalist Niki Evans as the Fairy Godmother and former West End Phantom of the Opera Nic Greenshields as Prince Charming. Tunes range from a song from Hairspray (next summer's Grand blockbuster) to Abba and Hannah Montana numbers.

Cinderella has got the wow factor too, getting 'oohs' and 'aahs' from the audience at the end of the first act with a flying horse and carriage, similar to the impressive flying car effect in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the Grand's big show last summer.

Every panto needs some hissable villains and it gets them with Ugly Sisters 'Trinny and Susannah' (Ben Stock and Nathan Kiley), dragged up to the nines in a series of bizarre dresses that deserve their place in the Victoria and Albert Museum. We get an extra villain with Dandini, usually the Prince's best mate, turned into a scheming would-be usurper via some plot hokum which allowed Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis to chew the scenery in true over-the-top panto villain style.

Add a demure blonde Cinders (Danielle York) with a pleasant singing voice, some enthusiastic dancers and cute kids, plus a brief cameo by flavour-of-the-season Churchill (oh yes, that TV advert dog) and you get a panto that's designed to please and doesn't disappoint.

Go and see Cinderella, you'll have a ball! It's on at the Grand until January 31.

- Leon Burakowski

I try on all my clothes but end up in the original outfit

:: This interview originally appeared in the Express & Star on 11th December 2009 ::

Niki Evans made it to the semi-final of X Factor in 2007. She has since appeared in West End show Blood Brothers. This month she appears in Wolverhampton's panto.

It's Friday afternoon. What's on your mind?

Most weekends I work so I'm usually trying to sort the kids out and get to the gig. But if I'm at home, I love going to the movies so I will be looking at what's on.

Who normally has the pleasure of your company at the weekend?

My lovely family - my husband Darren, my two sons Morgan and Jonah, my two dogs, my three rabbits... and a partridge in a pear tree!

How do you prepare for a big night out?

Well, that starts around 11am with a bottle of wine! Then it will go into a pampering session with nails, makeup and hair. I call the girls to see what they are wearing, have some more wine, then there's the last minute frenzy of the trying on of all the clothes, throwing them all over the place, putting back on what I started with, followed by more wine and then the last minute dash. I'm always late because I go through the whole 'I'm not going out because I'm too fat/ugly/nothing fits etc. etc.'! So, there's a bit more wine and then the party finally starts.

What's your favourite party outfit?

I don't have one really because I normally buy something new! But I do love my jeans.

You've just arrived at the bar. What's your first drink?

I'm a bit of a Jack Daniels girl - I even put 'Jack Daniels' down as my 'best friend' on the X Factor application form, so it would be double JD and diet Coke. You might as well start as I mean to go on!

What's your favourite nightspot and why?

When I did go out and party I never had a favourite place, it was just where I ended up. Really the only place I went to every time without fail was the chippy! When you get up the next day covered in last night's takeaway you know you've had a good night!

What tune always gets you on the dance floor?

Oh, that's an easy one - it's Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi. It's my anthem, they play it wherever I go. I love rock music so anything with a dirty guitar always has an effect on me.

It's a sunny Saturday. What are you up to?

I love Cornwall so I'd be on Crantock beach with a BBQ, a bottle of wine, some music and my family and friends, watching the sun go down - perfection.

What's your most memorable weekend ever and why?

My most memorable weekend was going to Center Parcs for my 30th birthday - it was a complete surprise for me.

What's the recipe for a perfect night in?

Cooking a nice meal for all my boys, getting a good film in or playing a board game, generally having a laugh with the kids, and then having an early night for once.

What is your favourite DVD? And what would you eat whilst watching it on a night in?

The film I watch very much depends on what mood I am in - as we all know, women have a lot of ups and downs. My favourite munch is always salt & vinegar crisps.

Sunday lunch - home-cooked or down the pub?

Home all the way. I was a chef and my husband cooks a mean dinner. Also, my son wants to be a chef so we all love cooking.

Where and how do you like to relax?

I'm a right lazy thing so I stay in bed and read a book. I love reading and my bed is my most favourite place in the world.

Fan-dabi-dozi act is still going strong

:: This article originally appeared in the Express & Star on 11th December 2009 ::

Husband and wife act The Krankies are making a welcome return to the stage at the Grand Theatre.

With it being their third year in Wolverhampton, there's not much you can tell The Krankies about the city that they don't already know. In fact, they have become such a regular feature of the city's festive celebrations, they are now given personal invitations to join in the annual Christmas bash held by former Beatties workers and chat with them as though they are old friends.

It may be the fact that Janette - who will be taking on the role of Buttons in this year's production of Cinderella at the Grand Theatre - often tells them it is the store in which she spends most of her time when she's not on stage.

Far from being nervous about their latest outing in Wolverhampton, the Glasweigan couple have no doubts that they will receive anything less than a warm welcome from the pantomime audience in their adopted home city.

"We do the work we want to do so we get to pick and choose," said Janette, who stands at 4ft 5ins and has appeared on stages across the world with her husband for 40 years. "Wolverhampton seems to like us, so we enjoy coming to work here. The reception is always very good. It's an old town so you get a lot of character in the audience. I think the Black Country is good for atmosphere."

It all started for The Krankies when the husband and wife double act won 1978 Club Act of the Year. They were spotted by the late Lord Delfont who immediately signed them to appear at the London Palladium in the 1979 Royal Variety Show. By Royal Command, The Krankies were the stars of the first Children's Royal Variety Show and seven further Royal performances followed, in front of the Queen Mother, Prince Phillip, Princess Royal, Princess Margaret and the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The Krankies semi-retired in 1991 after years of TV appearances but are still active on the pantomime circuit and insist that they will continue performing "until people stop laughing."

In 2004, Janette was seriously injured when she fell 20ft from a giant beanstalk during the Christmas panto Jack and the Beanstalk in Glasgow. But, even when faced with such a trauma, she joked that "hospital staff didn't know whether to take me to the children's or geriatrics ward." And she has now battled back to full health to retain her crown as the country's pantomime queen.

Janette and her husband Ian, both aged 62, live in Torquay, Devon, and will be staying in a rented barn conversion in Chesterton in between their performances in Wolverhampton.

"We've had a terrible summer in Torquay. We call it the Wet Country instead of the West Country because it rained all summer," says Jeanette. "Chesterton is about eight miles away. We stay there because we don't like to be in hotels for eight weeks. They're noisy around this time of year."

Ian, who is playing Cinderella's father The Baron, said: "We've always liked the Black Country, since the late 60s and 70s. It's got character because people have lived here for centuries. Our accents are different, but the humour here is very similar to Glasweigans' humour. We laugh at the same things. We're always made welcome. The Grand is a great theatre. I'm looking forward to the show."

Stars are poised to make a fairytale dream come true

:: This article originally appeared in the Express & Star on 11th December 2009 ::

It seems like only yesterday that the curtain came down on pantomime season in Wolverhampton. But now the pantomime dames are back in the city and ready to put on another magical show - oh, yes they are!

With its bright costumes, special effects and larger-than-life characters all eagerly awaiting the Grand Theatre stage, the curtain is now going up on Wolverhampton's 2009 pantomime, officially signalling the countdown to Christmas in the city.

From tomorrow, hundreds of families will flock to the theatre to watch this year's hotly-anticipated show, Cinderella.

The Grand Theatre stage is this year being graced by Neighbours star Stefan Dennis alongside panto favourites The Krankies. The show will be given a sprinkling of fairy dust from former X Factor star Niki Evans, who is taking on the role of the Fairy Godmother.

The cast will also include guest star Churchill, the icon of the insurance industry, in his very first stage appearance.

Stefan Dennis, well known for his role as Paul Robinson in the Australian soap, will play Dandini in this year's hotly-anticipated pantomime. He joined the original cast of Neighbours in 1985 and played Paul until 1992. He was invited to rejoin Neighbours for the 20th anniversary of the show and has remained a regular character ever since. He has also appeared in UK television shows including Dream Team, River City, The Bill and Casualty, as well as numerous musicals including Blood Brothers.

Singer-come-actress Niki Evans shot to fame on hit TV talent show The X Factor, finishing fourth in the 2007 series. She has since gone on to perform with John Barrowman at Birmingham's Symphony Hall, and in Jasper Carrott's Christmas Rock With Laughter at the NEC. She has made countless appearances on TV, including LK Today and ITV's This Morning, and has also spent a year in the West End as Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers.

Panto favourites The Krankies will be taking to the stage in Wolverhampton's pantomime for the third year in a row, appearing as The Baron and Buttons.

Are you a good dog, Churchill? Oh, yes!

:: This video originally appeared on the Express & Star website on 26th November 2009 ::



He may not have much to say for himself but Churchill the Dog was a big hit when he popped into the Express & Star offices in Wolverhampton – Oh yes!

The two-foot high star, who made a name for himself on television insurance adverts, took time out from his busy winter schedule to meet our video journalist Nicky Butler.

The nodding dog, famed for his “Oh no, Oh yes” sayings, was in the city to turn on the Christmas lights.

Cinders will be going to the ball - with help from Niki

:: This article originally appeared in the Tamworth Herald on November 26th 2009 ::

It's panto time at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - with Polesworth singing sensation Niki Evans taking a starring role in the show.

Oh, yes she is!

Niki is performing as the Fairy Godmother in the Grand's festive production of Cinderella. She'll be joined on stage by Neighbours star Stefan Dennis as Dandini and Danielle York as Cinderella, as well as appearances from panto favourites The Krankies and Churchill the dog (oh, yes, yes, yes, yes).

Cinderella will be jam-packed with special effects, stunning costumes and, with a little help from the Amazing Flying Pegasus, she will go to the ball!

Leading the cast, Stefan Dennis is well known for playing the role of Paul Robinson in the Australian soap opera Neighbours. Stefan joined the original cast of Neighbours in 1985 and played Paul until 1992. He was invited to rejoin Neighbours for the 20th anniversary of the show and has remained a regular character ever since. Stefan has also featured in UK television shows including Dream Team, River City, The Bill and Casualty.

Much-loved singer and actress Niki Evans came fourth in the 2007 series of The X Factor and has gone on to perform with John Barrowman at Birmingham's Symphony Hall, Jasper Carrott's Christmas Rock With Laughter at the NEC, and has made countless appearances on TV including LK Today and ITV's This Morning with Phillip Schofield and Fern Britton.

Niki has recently finished a year in the West End as Mrs Johnstone in Willy Russell's Blood Brothers. Niki's new single I Feel Love has been released and her album will follow this winter.

- Nicki Robinson

Oh yes Niki is in panto!

:: This interview first appeared in the Birmingham Mail on 20th November 2009 ::

X Factor star Niki Evans is learning to fly for her first panto.

She didn't believe it herself when she was told that, as the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, she was to be hoisted above the stage of the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton.

"This could be my first and last panto if I get stuck up there!" she laughs. "I'll be screaming 'get me down!' I really don't like heights, so that's the bit I'm not looking forward to. But it's lovely wearing big dresses and waving a wand. I feel like my own fairy godmother has granted me my wish, to be able to relax at home with my family at Christmas."

Last year Niki, who shot to fame on The X Factor in 2007, was appearing as Mrs Johnstone in the Wedt End production of Blood Brothers. That meant she had the leave the Midlands' festivities halfway through to head back down to London. But working closer to home means she can spend the whole day with her husband Darren and their teenage sons in Polesworth, near Tamworth.

"They call me Mrs. Christmas in the village," says Niki, who turns 37 next month and is appearing alongside Stefan Dennis from Neighbours and The Krankies. "It's my favourite time of year. I decorate my house like Blackpool Illuminations and I've just bought my turkey and made my first set of mince pies. I've already bought all my presents and wrapped them while listening to White Christmas."

"I made my Christmas cake last month and will be adding more brandy to it, and this year I think I might make a gingerbread house. The best present I could have is to be at home with the kids, to see them open their presents and not have to rush off."

"I hated having to work in London while I was in Blood Brothers, I could only come home on Sundays. There were lots of tears. My family are so proud of me and wanted me to do it, but when my contract came to an end, I turned down the offer of another musical because they said 'come home, mum.' But Wolverhampton is only 40 minutes away, so it's perfect. Well, Birmingham would be even better but you can't have everything!"

They might not let her back to Birmingham if they knew how she nearly caused disaster at another panto: "When I was about seven, my mum took me and my friend to a panto in Birmingham. I can't remember which theatre. We went to the toilet halfway through and flooded the place," she says. "I was a mischevious little girl who stuck tissues in the sink and left the taps on. Mum nearly killed me and said she'd never take me anywhere ever again."

Next month Niki releases an album, By Request, and in February she embarks on a tour including Midlands venues like Dudley Town Hall and Solihull Arts Complex.

- Roz Laws

No woman over 25 will ever win, says ex-finalist Niki

:: This article originally appeared in the Sunday Mercury on 15th November 2009 ::

Danyl is out of tune. John and Edward are the worst contestants The X Factor has ever seen. And the show will NEVER be won by an older woman - especially if she has kids. Niki Evans, the Midlands singer who made it through the 2007 finals of the show, is not a fan of the current series.

The former dinner lady from Polesworth, near Tamworth, reckons X Factor is as sexist and ageist as ever. She first hit the headlines when she broke ranks and dared to criticise the show.

"I was slammed for being bitter," says the 36-year-old, who has gone on to carve out a musical career. "I said I would eat my hat if a woman over 25 ever wins The X Factor. But I was vinidcated when Simon didn't put any women through in his over 25 category."

"If you're a woman older than that, the show portrays you as if you're more like 95. They just don't want to know. It means that women over a certain age don't get a fair crack."

Niki reckons that men aged over 25 can get away with it more, but it's incredibly difficult for women. "That's especially the case of you carry a bit of weight or have kids," she says. "I was portrayed as a frumpy mum. What you are perceived as is not what you are."

She admits she has found it difficult to stomach some of the finalists' performances so far this year: "I'm not keen on Simon Cowell's favourite, Danyl," she admits. "I close my eyes to really listen to the acts. His voice isn't that good - he can't sing in tune and just shouts the one note he can hit. He murdered Purple Rain last week."

"And I've never seen anything as bad as the twins, John and Edward. It's like putting the Cheeky Girls through. They can't sing or dance, and it's making a joke of the competition."

Niki does, however, feel concerned about the growing 'Jedward' backlash, which has seen the twins subjected to a hate mail campaign. "It's not their fault," she explains. "They're only 18, and I worry about the effect on them. The only person who should be booed is Louis Walsh for putting them through in the first place."

So who does she think might win the competition? "Stacey and Joe both have nice voices, but I realy like Olly, who has a bit of everything," she says.

Although Leona Lewis and JLS have enjoyed huge success since they appeared on X Factor, Niki is one of the few X Factor finalists to make a good living out of singing after the contest. She spent a year in the West End in the lead role of Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers, and next month she's releasing an album and starring as the Fairy Godmother in the pantomime Cinderella at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, alongside Stefan Dennis from Neighbours and The Krankies.

Fans will be seeing a little more of Niki than they did last year, when she underwent liposuction to have fat sucked from eight places, including her back, thighs, stomach and chin. She underwent the four-hour op for free to publicise the treatment - but now says it was a waste of time.

"I lost loads of weight after the liposuction and they told me it shouldn't come back quickly," she says. "That's a load of rubbish - because it does," says the singer who is married to printer Darren and has two teenage sons. "It's a quick fix. I can't afford to be like Sharon Osbourne and keep going back every six weeks or so. I went from a size 16 to a size 10, but I'm back up to 11 stone and a size 16 on top because of my big boobs! The trouble is, I like my food. If I want a cake, I'll have it. I don't want to be a lollipop head."

"I met my husband at the age of 16 and he's the only man I want to attract. He loves me as I am. At one stage I got to eight stone and he hated it, said it was like cuddling a bag of bones."

- Roz Laws

Panto date full circle for X-contender Niki

:: This interview originally appeared in the Express & Star on 14th November 2009 ::

From Black Country Working Men's Clubs to the West End and now Grand Theatre panto. Former X Factor finalist Niki Evans speaks to Maria Cusine.

"I remember getting a great reception when I used to sing in Sedgley Working Men's Club - but the bingo was the real star attraction of the night," laughs former dinner lady Niki Evans.

"I did a lot of pubs and clubs in and around Wolverhampton and I really enjoyed them. They are a good training ground for live singers and I had a loyal following which I won't forget," says the 36-year-old. That was almost 10 years ago, but Niki had started singing at a much earlier age.

"I've been singing for as long as I can remember. I remember when I was five or six, my dad put me on a table and I started singing 'What's Another Year' by Johnny Logan, and that was that. Singing is all I've ever wanted to do. For me, singing is like breathing," says the mother of two, who hails from Birmingham and now lives in Polesworth, Tamworth. But it wasn't until 2007 that Niki's singing dream started to come true.

Whilst working as a catering manager she auditioned for The X Factor just months after the death of her beloved father John. While sorting through his possessions, she found the apllication form he had intended for her. She may not have won the hit reality show, but she made the final four. Her appearance caught the eye of the likes of John Barrowman and West End impressario Bill Kenwright.

Soon after the series ended she was appearing with Barrowman at Brimingham Symphony Hall, taking to the NEC stage in Jasper Carrott's Christmas Rock With Laughter and for the past year has been the leading lady in West End musical Blood Brothers. And it's all down the The X Factor, says Niki.

"The X Factor gave me the boost to realise my dream. A lot of contestants can get left behind. The show gives you the tools you need but you really need tod o the work afterwards. It was an amazing experience but there were hard times, everyone is vulnerable and you're not the person in the editing suite. Ultimately it's a reality TV show with a few songs thrown in - everyone wants to know you and your story. It was an experience you can't buy, I met some fantastic people and I'll never forget it," she says.

And what is her verdict of this year's show?

"I think the new format is very Pop Idol when they all sing together and I think the audition stage is much easier now. But to be honest I think The X Factor has lost a bit of its own X Factor this year."

Niki's favourite contestant has already left the series: "Rachel was my favourite and I was disgusted when she was knocked out. I couldn't believe it as she had one of the best voices. And why is she out? Probably because she didn't have a story so no-one was interested in her."

She thinks Olly could sing his way to victory: "He's not got the best voice but he does have a bit of everything and manages to pull it off." But she gives the thumbs down to controversial twins John and Edward.

"Jedward shouldn't be in there - they are making a farce out of the whole thing. The X Factor should be about people who can sing. They can'ts ing and they can't dance. I think they are a sort of Cheeky Boys act. But I feel sorry for them, especially if they don't take off. They are going to be destroyed. I worry that they are being set up to fall down - and they'r eonly 18-year-old kids. They need to be looked after," she says.

"Simon Cowell is reaccting the way he does because he's thinking of the ratings. Whether you love or hate them you still tune in to see them. I've never ever seen such a bad act, but it's not their fault. I'm really starting to feel sorry for them - but I can't help laughing at them when I watch them and I feel guilty because I do find them funny," she adds.

As for Danyl, Niki says: "I don't think he's the best singer. He shouts every week. I really don't get where Simon is coming from with Danyl. But then if Simon said the grass was purple some people would think the grass is purple. He does nothing for me. People need to close their eyes when they listen to the voice."

Niki describes Joe as having the most natural voice: "I think he has the best original voice. It sounds natural and has a very musical theatre sound," she says. She thinks Jamie looks out of his comfort zone: "He makes me feel uncomfortable - and I don't think he looks comfortable. He comes across as a rocker, but I don't think he is really."

"Lloyd is a very young boy but he's already lost his voice. I think he's looking quite lost in the contest." Niki has praise for Stacey: "I picked her out when I first heard her. And I don't think she has reached her full potential."

Niki, who was in the over-25 category when she was in the show, says she doesn't think a woman over 25 will ever win: "Over 25s women are perceived as being 95, over 25s men are seen as gorgeous. We're seen as old grannies, but we are mature and have life experience."

After a 12-month stint as Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers, for which Niki received rave reviews, she is heading to Wolverhampton to star as the Fairy Godmother in the Grand Theatre's pantomime Cinderella.

"Singing's always been my first love, I wasn't really into musicals. But Blood Brothers was an opportunity I could not turn down, in fact I don't say no to anything," laughs the svelte star who looks super slim following liposuction last year.

"I was sucked, tucked and plucked but I didn't pay for it. I don't think I would pay for it. I've changed shape, but haven't really lost weight - I've still got my big boobs and big arms," she laughs.

Niki says she is thrilled to be taking to the stage in Wolverhampton: "I'm really pleased to be here and it's great that I'll be able to go home every night. It will be great to be working so close to home. I've got Christmas Day off and I'll be doing the dinner for the family," adds Niki, who lives with husband Darren and sons Jonah, 12 and Morgan, 14.

Next month she also releases an album, By Request, and following the panto is embarking on a nationwide tour. So does she have her own Fairy Godmother? "I know it sounds really corny, but I'd have to say my dad. He died for my dream to be realised."

- Maria Cusine

Small screen star makes stage debut. Oh, yes.

It’s an inevitable truth in today’s entertainment industry. The greatest stars of the big and small screens, will all, ultimately, without exception, decide they need to strut their stuff on the live stage. They can’t help it. It’s an irresistible actorish urge.

Think Jude Law, David Tennant, Rachel Weiss, Daniel Radcliffe, Orlando Bloom, Dustin Hofmann, Kevin Spacey. And now add yet another famous name to that massively illustrious roster: Churchill. Oh yes.

It’s been confirmed that after a 13 year advertising-only career, this icon of the insurance industry is about to make a dramatic, dynamic, live theatre debut in 22 Christmas productions, right round the UK, in front of an estimated audience of (wait for it) 1.5 million.

This is possibly the UK’s most unique marketing partnership and unites together two great British institutions. It’s also probably the biggest screen to stage shift ever undertaken by a major star, and it doesn’t take much to work out why it’s a creative match made in heaven. Oh yes (it does). Oh no (it doesn’t).

Pantomime producers Qdos Entertainment finally sealed the deal after six months’ negotiation with Marty Hoffmann (Churchill’s rights manager and effectively his agent). Neither will reveal what the famous brown and white British bulldog is being paid.

He’s appearing alongside top stars Stefan Dennis and The Krankies, as well as more famous faces at pantos around the country including John Barrowman, Shane Richie, Ray Quinn and Roxanne Pallet.

Neither Qdos Entertainment nor Churchill will reveal the exact role he’ll be playing, but it’s likely that the star will be giving good advice to goodies and bad counsel to baddies. Usually of a fairly basic kind: oh yes, or oh no.

Review from THE STAGE

:: This review originally appeared in The Stage magazine on January 8th 2009 ::

Jonathan Kiley's handling of JM Barrie's original scenario is managed with an admirable degree of sensitivity, the songs are bland and tuneful, and the handsome young company is vibrant, with swiftly-paced choreography, which adds up to an evening that is never allowed to drag.

At this time of year, audiences expect stage glamour with a touch of magic and at Wolverhampton they will not be disappointed. hus, Ian Westbrook's settings work very well within panto's raffish dimension and neverland looks fine, although occasionaly it is difficult to determine exactly where a scene is happening.

And why the final reconciliation of the Darling family should have been moved to the roof of their house must remain one of panto's mysteries.

Paul Nicholas - working under the constraints of a throat virus - is generally a cosy Captain Hook, but does not erode the memory of Ron Moody a couple of years ago, giving Hook a historical dimension that was marvellous.

Elsewhere, Jack Montgomery as a serious Peter Pan is splendid, Rochelle Neil is a delightfully militant Tiger Lily and the Krankies, who ae agreless, prove they deserve to be top of the bill, if only for the celebrated ventriloquist sequence and the naughty Amy Winehouse send-up.

- Richard Edmonds