Professional quizzer and Chaser The Beast is set to terrify theatre-goers this Christmas as he takes to the stage as a panto baddie.

Mark Labbett, who has been on the ITV gameshow The Chase since 2009, says he is looking forward to playing giant’s henchman Crookback in this year's production of Jack and the Beanstalk at The Woodville in Gravesend – its “most dastardly villain yet.”

He said: “I’ll be the one that’s towering above everybody else.

“What you can expect is lots of fear and terror. If I haven’t got some children running and crying by the end of the performance I’m not doing my job properly.

“I love the panto. It's the perfect role for the big guy who doesn’t mind being booed and hissed at.”

This will be Mark’s sixth time doing panto and his third year in a row doing Jack and the Beanstalk.

“In theory, I should know what I’m doing now,” he added.

“I think Jack and the Beanstalk is becoming my favourite panto. For obvious reasons, I don’t get asked to do Cinderella.

“What I’m most looking forward to, believe it or not, is the song.

“They’ll give me a good old anthem to belt out in the bad guy role and I really enjoy that.”

While he has to devote a lot of time to learning facts for The Chase, Mark says his memory abilities don’t necessarily give him an advantage when it comes to script learning.

He explained: “I’ve got one of the world’s greatest memories but it’s like a random access memory, and learning a script where every word has got to be in a precise order I find quite tough.

“My goal effectively is to be the straight guy. I’m the one who sticks to the script so the comedians can go off and be funny knowing that once they’ve done their bit they can come back and I’m there waiting for them.

“I haven’t started learning the script yet because it hasn’t been written but I look forward to it.”

When asked if there will be any modern twists this year, he said: “I’m expecting there’ll be a Chappell Roan or Sabrina Carpenter-type song and you know if we can afford the licensing fees we’re going to put in a Taylor Swift song.”

Another recognisable face treading the boards this year will be Gravesend-favourite Rob Cummings, who will be playing Dame Trott.

Rob, who has been doing panto at The Woodville since 2017, said: “This year, you can expect a lot of hilarious gags, loads of set pieces, and some amazing musical numbers.

“We’ve got a cow, a beanstalk and of course The Beast – it’s going to be a very scary show.”

He said he was looking forward to seeing the Gravesend audiences again as they’ve “always got a great sense of humour”.

He added: “We just want to try and make them laugh and giggle and have a good Christmas.”

Georgia Rowland-Elliott, who will be playing Jill, says audiences can expect lots of silliness this year, with “a few surprises along the way”.

She said: “I’m most looking forward to working with this cast because I’ve worked with a few of them before. I can already tell it’s going to be a really fun year and not every show is going to be the same.”

Byron Witchell, who will be playing Jack Trott, has been doing panto for more than a decade and says it’s his “favourite discipline”.

He explained: “I love how colourful and camp it is, it’s family entertainment at its finest.

“I’m really looking forward to taking on the role of Jack and getting my teeth into it and seeing what I can bring to the stage.”

And Olivier Award winner Leanne Jones will be taking to the stage in Gravesend this year playing Cowpat.

Leanne, who is best known for her role as Tracy Turnblad in the West End production of Hairspray, said: “I’ve heard the set is going to be incredible.

“Panto at The Woodville is always massive, hilarious, full of colour and good songs.

“I’m really excited about playing the comedy part so I’m hoping there’s going to be lots of gags and a little bit of innuendo maybe for the adults – and just lots of fun.”

Other cast members include Britain’s Got Talent magician Jezo as Billy Trott and Monifa James as Fairy Full O'Beans.

To book tickets click on the link here.

This will be the seventh time Wicked Productions has put on the pantomime at the theatre.