Many of you won’t know the name Paul Nicholas – I didn’t before this, but you might recognise some of what he has done.

He was a pop star in the 70s with four number one hit singles, he was in hit TV show Just Good Friends, he directed The Rocky Horror Picture Show and has done loads more.

I went along to meet him at the press launch of this year’s pantomime, Peter Pan, in which he plays the villain Captain Hook.

“I like being the villain, you know just how to act, people boo you before you even say anything!” said Paul.

“He’s an interesting character. Although he’s evil, he’s silly, which allows the audience to like him.”

Though the star has never worked in Swindon before, he told us he was excited to do it as he has worked in Bath and Reading, but never in between.

Paul said: “I’m looking forward to doing Peter Pan at the Wyvern. It’s only an hour and a half away from my house so I can commute.

“Also it’s got a good running time and good people. Some pantos go on too long but we’ll still have the spirit of Christmas with us!”

When we asked Paul what his first panto memory was he described a beautiful childhood memory: “I only went to one panto as a child, it was one of the big ones in London.

“I don’t remember it very clearly but I remember the effect it had on me. It was a big experience.

“I think it’s an important part of childhood and as today’s children have so much more choice, what with TV and films and computers, panto becomes even more important because it is something you can’t experience anywhere else.”

Peter Pan has always been one of my favourite pantos, and one of the top five in the country, so when Paul was asked about his view on it, the answer wasn’t that surprising.

“It’s a great subject, it’s good for the children and keeps them interested,” he said. “People know the story, they’ve seen it as plays, on TV, read the book but as a panto it’s something different.

“The problem with some pantos is they make it to appeal to adults. It’s the children that are important. If a child loses interest then the parent does and no one enjoys it. If a child is absorbed in the panto so will the adult be.”

According to Paul, the newly scripted version of the traditional panto is going to have songs that everyone will know, so remember to join in when you go see it this Christmas!

Swindon Advertiser: Blob By Robyn Hitch, 15, Kingsdown School