IT'S a ten from me.

Icy tongued Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood could not have been more perfectly cast as the Wicked Stepmother in this year's outstanding Mayflower panto Cinderella.

He makes a brilliant baddie, but he's such a popular personality that last night's delighted press night audience didn't know whether to boo and hiss or whoop and cheer as their TV favourite took to the stage in a rather spectacular sparkly ensemble.

He soon had them screeching with glee with his sarcastic retorts, humorous asides and superb solo numbers, showing off strong vocals.

Daily Echo:

Richard Cadell held the show together as Buttons. His sketches with Sooty were a joy with the magic little yellow bear sending ripples of laughter through the crowd. But I think even he might have been outdone by sidekick Sweep with his loud high-pitched squeaking along to Nessun Dorma as he channelled his inner Luciano Pavarotti.

The panto, postponed in 2020 amid continuing Covid fears, was well worth the wait. Oh yes it was.

There's everything you could ever want from a panto and more. Think a spectacular flying carriage, dancing pumpkins and a slapstick routine which involved Debbie McGee dancing with a duster.

Daily Echo:

As you'd expect in a show starring Strictly's Mr Nasty himself, the choreography was top notch.

Cinderella is a riotous festive romp which is just as much fun for the adults as their offspring.

My seven-year-old daughter Poppy and her friends loved every minute of it, particularly the Strictly references, Cinders getting one over on her horrid stepsisters and the fart jokes.

Daily Echo:

Us grown ups enjoyed it just as much, if more for the fantastic frocks and funny one-liners than the flatulence.

Three syllables sum it up perfectly. Fab-u-lous!

  • Cinderella runs until Sunday January 2. Tickets from mayflower.org.uk or 023 8071 1811.
  • Pictures by Stuart Martin and courtesy of Mayflower Theatre