CBeebies star returns to Wolverhampton for panto

The CBeebies star heading up the cast of Wolverhampton's pantomime said she was "proud to fly the flag" for the West Midlands.

Evie Pickerill, from Kingswinford, has returned to the region to play Snow White at the city's Grand Theatre.

The show was written and produced by the theatre team - their first homegrown festive production - and also features fellow CBeebies presenter Gyasi Sheppy.

It runs from Tuesday until 7 January.

For Pickerill, starring in the show feels extra special as she has fond memories of attending the theatre with her family as a child.

"I have grown up watching shows in this theatre and I performed here in amateur dramatics as well," she told BBC Radio WM.

"It's really special for me because I look out and I can see where I've sat in previous years as an audience member," she added.

"Everyone [in Wolverhampton] has that sense of warmth about them and I'm really lucky to carry that with me wherever I go.

"I feel so lucky to be in my home turf and I'm hopeful that I'm doing Wolverhampton proud and I'm waving the flag high, because I'm really proud to be from the West Midlands."

The presenter landed her "dream job" at Cbeebies in 2018 and became a firm favourite with viewers.

She trained as an actress at The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts but said her heart belonged in children's television and has previously said she would love to present Blue Peter.

The panto tells the story of fairytale princess Snow White as she defeats the Evil Queen and sets off on a journey to find true love's first kiss.

It also stars Eternal's Kelle Bryan, Niki Colwell Evans from X Factor as well as Tam Tyan and Ian Adams.

Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [email protected]