Former Brookside star Jennifer Ellison says she is looking forward to spending her time in Norfolk as she plays the wicked queen in this year's Norwich Theatre Royal panto.

The theatre will be filled with the sound of booing and hissing as Miss Ellison takes to the stage to play Evilynne the evil queen.

Ms Ellison described Norfolk as a 'lovely place'.

The mother-of-three, who has had an extremely busy year filming her popular show Dance Mums and opening a performing arts school in Liverpool, says: 'I adore playing the bad roles rather than the goodie-goodie roles.'

The evil queen is her personal favourite, and having played her before she reckons she has mastered her evil cackle.

In particular she enjoys seeing the reaction from children and adults during the apple scene in which she tricks Snow White into eating the poisonous fruit. 'Kids especially are just so shocked and horrified at the thought of the Queen trying to poison Snow White.'

John Bultitude, from the Theatre Royal, described the role as glamorous, stylish, beautiful and nasty an said Ms Elison is definitely going to 'mix brains and beauty' in the role.

With rehearsals set to begin next month Ms Ellison is not keen on being away from her family – but she is looking ahead to what she described as sure to be a 'fun Christmas in Norfolk'.

She will be joined by her partner and children as soon as the school holidays begin.

The actress, who played Emily Shadwick in the Channel Four programme Brookside, has appeared on TV in Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen and ITV's Dancing On Ice. She has had numerous roles on the stage, including playing Roxie Hart in Chicago.

Snow White is at the Theatre Royal from December 15 to January 17. Tickets are selling fast with some performances already having limited availability. They can be bought from the Theatre Royal box office in person, on 01603 630000 or by post. Alternatively they can be bought online at www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk