HE’S the tough-talking TV judge who’s preparing to get even meaner for a ‘royal’ role on the Southampton stage.

Strictly Come Dancing’s Craig Revel Horwood will star as the leading lady when the Mayflower welcomes pantomime show Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs this Christmas.

Playing the Wicked Queen, he will be joined on stage by timeless duo The Chuckle Brothers and street dance troupe, Flawless.

Speaking at the show’s press launch yesterday, the Strictly judge said he was looking forward to performing in Southampton.

He said: “It’s going to be absolutely great.

“I love the Mayflower and for the last three years I’ve been living in Hampshire, so it will be my first Christmas at home which will be so nice.”

Asked about the role of the Wicked Queen, he said: “I love playing her because she’s absolutely vile.

“It’s always nice for me to get into costume as well, because it is a huge jump from what I’m normally used to on a Saturday (with Strictly).

“Most people haven’t seen me in another guise and a lot of people haven’t seen me dressed as a woman – so it will be a surprise for them.”

Joking about the Wicked Queen’s similarities with his Strictly persona, he added: “I guess it goes hand-in-hand.

“It should stir up some good camaraderie with the Chuckle Brothers.

“Audiences will often bring their paddles to judge me – which I’d encourage.”

Mixed in with Craig’s evil character will be the comedy talents of the Chuckle Brothers, who will play the queen’s henchmen.

It will be the pair’s first appearance doing pantomime at Southampton’s 2,300-capacity Mayflower Theatre.

Paul said: “We’ve done panto for 51 years and never played the Mayflower so we are really looking forward to this.”

Barry added: “We always enjoy doing panto, it really fits our kind of comedy.”

Also new to the Mayflower panto scene are Flawless – the street dance troupe who shot to fame in 2009 on Britain’s Got Talent.

They will play the queen’s attendants.

Chris Alozie, known as “Bounce” said: “We are all really looking forward to it, it’s going to be a really good show.

On working with the Chuckle Brothers, he added: “We should have some really good banter.

“It’s mad watching them as a kid, I’d never have said I’d be on the same stage as them one day.”

The show, which features Hampshire’s own Charlotte Haines as Snow White, is set to start on December 15 and run until January 7 next year.