IT’S behind you!

The star-studded cast of Jack and the Beanstalk were joined by a pantomime cow and a host of theatregoers as they officially launched the return of family pantomime to The Mayflower .

Fresh from winning Celebrity Big Brother, Julian Clary will lead the cast in the role of Spirit of the Beans. He will be joined by one of British theatre ’s biggest stars, Nigel Havers, as Fleshcreep. The West End sensation Lee Mead makes his pantomime debut in the title role of Jack, alongside panto veteran Jeffrey Holland as Dame Trot.

Looking resplendent in full costume, Julian Clary, Nigel Havers and Jeffrey Holland were full of tales of the last time they all worked together – in Dick Whittington in Birmingham.

Nigel Havers explained: “There was quite a bit of misbehaviour, shall we say. There’s not really anything clean I can tell you about, not when it involves Julian Clary!”

Lee Mead joked he would need a TV screen installed in his dressing room if wife Denise Van Outen makes the final of Strictly Come Dancing on the opening night of the pantomime.

Chief executive Dennis Hall, who leaves his role at the end of the month after 26 years, described the show as his parting gift to Mayflower audiences.

He told Your Entertainment: “I am delighted to have been able to bring traditional pantomime back to Southampton with the biggest panto producer in the business .

“Audiences are in for a real treat this year, and for the future.”

Bosses at Qdos Entertainment have signed a deal to bring three years of pantomimes to The Mayflower.

Jack and the Beanstalk combines all of the traditional elements of a family pantomime with stunning visual effects, including a fantastic 3D enchanted forest and journey through to the amazing giant in his kitchen.