As soon as Matthew Kelly sang 'There's No Business Like Show Business' to me on the phone, I knew the Richmond Theatre audience were in for a treat this Christmas.

The charismatic actor, television host and pantomime dame is the star of this year's production, Cinderella, and follows in the footsteps of Henry Winkler and Jerry Hall.

However, Kelly, perhaps best known for hosting talent show Stars in their Eyes, is taking on the unique role of an Ugly Sister - and his sister is being played by his son, Matthew Rixon.

Speaking at the panto launch at the picturesque Strawberry Hill House, Kelly says: "I'm working with my son and we are the Ugly Sisters again.

"We have done loads of stuff together over the years, we were in panto together last year in Wimbledon and, in fact, he first appeared alongside me on stage, aged 18 months, in Little Red Riding Hood.

"I love working with him, he is very funny and it is fantastic to be working with somebody I am so close to - you end up developing a timing which is second-to-none.

"This is only the third time we have played sisters but we just know each other so well and it works so well."

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Matthew Kelly as Ugly Sister Cheryl at the Richmond Theatre pantomime launch

Cinderella at Richmond Theatre is something of a home gig for Kelly, who lives along the river in Chiswick, and he says he still gets a buzz from doing panto each year.

"To me, doing pantomime isn't much different from other theatre productions," says Kelly.

"If anything, it is more disciplined - there has to be a really strong storyline with strong morals.

"And you have to remember it is a lot of children’s first experience of the theatre.

"Even though it looks like organised chaos, you have to know what you are doing."

Fortunately for him, Cinderella is his favourite panto to be a part of.

He adds: "Cinderella is the best storyline and the sisters are my favourite part to play because I get to be evil.

"We have a way of doing it so that the audience love to hate us - we make ourselves the butt of the jokes.

"I like a big company, that is your family over Christmas and it gets you out of peeling sprouts."

Just sixty-six days to go... a Christmas cracker to help you get in the mood

And then came the highlight of the interview.

I asked Kelly who he would perform as if he went on his old Saturday favourite, Stars in their Eyes.

Laughing, he hesitated to consider Dame Shirley Bassey but eventually settled on Ethel Merman, before proceeding to sing 'There's No Business Like Show Business' down the line.

If he performs with as much energy as he sings, audiences are sure to be in for an action-packed show at this year's Richmond Theatre panto.

Cinderella runs at Richmond Theatre from December 4 until January 10.

Visit atgtickets.com/richmond to book tickets and find out more.