X Factor’s Sam Bailey launches Waterside Christmas panto

Former X Factor winner Sam Bailey, finalist on the same show - Melanie Masson - and local favourite Andy Collins attended the launch of Dick Whittington held at The Kings Head in Market Square.

It tells the rags to riches tale of a young man and his cat on an exciting quest for fame and fortune.

Featuring all the traditional pantomime ingredients; sensational songs, a live band, dazzling dance routines, slapstick comedy and bags of audience participation - Dick Whittington is guaranteed to be full of wonder to delight audiences.

Sam Bailey will be playing the role of Fairy Bowbells in her first pantomime. She won the ITV show in 2013.

Her debut single Skyscraper went straight to the top of the charts, making it the Christmas number one.

She has since supported Beyoncé on her UK tour, had her own number one album, live tour and released an autobiography.

Melaine, who was a finalist on the same show the year before Sam, will be playing the role of baddie Queen Rat – the first time she has played the villain in a pantomime.

And the familiar face of Andy Collins will be returning to the Waterside for the fifth time and takes on the comedic role of Idle Jack.

Tickets for the show are now on sale and can be booked by calling the box office on 0844 871 7607 or visit www.atgtickets.co.uk/aylesbury

For an interview with Sam, see next week’s Bucks Herald.