Hollyoaks notorious bad girl, Jennifer Metcalfe is taking a break from her everyday vixen role as meddling Mercedes Fisher, swapping her alter-ego’s trademark stilettos for a pair of glass slippers, as she stars as Cinderella in panto this year.

Former Dancing On Ice contestant, Jennifer, is taking part in the Whitley Bay Playhouse’s panto production of Cinderella and said she’s looking forward to treading the North seaside stage for the first time, according to the Sun on Sunday online.

Metcalfe confirmed: “It’s really nice to be by the coast. It’s much prettier than I thought it would be as a seaside resort.

“There’s quirky bars and restaurants and a view of the sea – I’m looking forward to it.”

The fiercely talented actress, who recently gave co-star, Jorgie Porter, advice for filming sex scenes as her Hollyoaks character, Theresa McQueen,  in this year’s Hollyoaks Later, is nervous about entertaining a younger audience, admitting:

“I’ve heard children are quite difficult to please,” she said, “but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

“Hopefully all my friends, family and boyfriend will be coming up to see me too,” she said. “I think the first night will be quite nerve-wracking, but I’m told it’ll get easier from there.”

This will be Jennifer’s first panto, so in preparation she has turned to the last the last person she saw performing in a festive production for a bit of advice:

“I’ve not been in a long while but when I was young my best friend loved going to the pantomime, so her mum and dad always insisted we went.

“I think the last one I saw had Nick Pickard – Tony from Hollyoaks – in it, so I need to hunt him down and get some tips.”

Cinderella starts at the Whitley Bay Playhouse on December 18. For more information visit www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk