A Southampton schoolgirl has starred alongside Peppa Pig in a brand-new cinema experience to celebrate the show’s 20th anniversary.

Seven-year-old Nel Markowska, from Bitterne, couldn’t believe her luck when she was chosen to spend four days filming in London last summer alongside other children for Peppa’s Cinema Party.

Nel appears as a magician – as well as dancing and having fun with Peppa and friends – for a special 20th anniversary cinema experience that features voice work from popstar Katy Perry and Hollywood actor Orlando Bloom.

Peppa’s Cinema Party is an hour-long big screen treatment comprising of 10 episodes – featuring animation and live action sequences – that the whole family can sing along to in a shared experience playing all over the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Having trained at DM Dance Centre in Southampton, Nel was picked up by a nation-wide talent agency, Little London Kids, before landing her first role on the big screen.

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“It’s a childhood dream for Nel,” said her mum, Kaya.

She told the Echo: “It’s not everyday your child is in a movie!

“Last June we took Nel to London where she filmed most of her scenes in front of a green screen.

“The whole family are incredibly proud of her, it’s super exciting and something that we can all celebrate together.”

On February 2, Nel and Kaya travelled to London’s Leicester Square as VIP guests to watch the film’s premiere at Vue Cinema.

Kaya said: “It was a brilliant experience, the kids got to meet Peppa and the cast of ‘Milkshake!’ and there was a pink carpet – because it was Peppa Pig, so it was themed really well.

“Nel got to have Peppa Pig cookies and it really was an unforgettable experience.”

Having already appeared on the big screen at the age of seven, Nel continues to attend her youth theatre group with her friends and has aspirations of appearing in more films going forward.

Kaya added: “Nel loves performing and dancing and as long as she’s happy and wants to do it we will support her in any way that we can.”