IT'S the height of summer – but TV favourite Neil Morrissey is already looking forward to spending Christmas in Derby.

The star of television hits such as Men Behaving Badly and Waterloo Road arrived to launch this year's Assembly Rooms pantomime Cinderella, where he will play Buttons.

"It's bizarre," he said. "It just happens that we are having a cracking summer so it seems odd talking about the panto. But the reality is I'm meeting the Ugly Sisters, taking a look at the venue and starting to think about the show."

Neil doesn't usually spend his Christmases shouting "he's behind you" and sprinkling fairy dust but has made an exception for Derby this year.

"I haven't been away from family at Christmas for 20-odd years," he said, "so it will be different. I hope somebody will give me a Christmas dinner."

Neil Morrissey talks to Nigel Powlson

And Neil, who is a big real ale fan with his own micro-brewery, is hoping to check out Derby's top beers while in town.

"Burton does my bottling for me for the Morrissey-Fox Blonde that you can get in Tesco," he said. "And there are some good Derbyshire ales, so I'm looking forward to getting stuck in.

"I will also be talking to some pubs about ordering my beer in, otherwise I won't get any for a few weeks and I miss my beer."

Neil is delighted that the panto, which will open on December 9, will be Cinderella. "Cinderella is the number one panto," he said. "You have the contrast between the good and evil, the Ugly Sisters being bad, and someone who turns into a beautiful princess.

"It's a rags-to-riches story; a love story – unrequited love for Buttons. And kids these days are very demanding. You have to pack a punch to keep them watching. Cinderella does that – it's a cracker.

"I love panto. The first thing I ever saw on stage was a panto, starring Ken Dodd, and it went on for about four hours.

"My girlfriend's Australian and she just doesn't understand because it's so peculiarly English.

"It's about atmosphere and fun, more about showbiz and variety than acting. You have to take it for what it is.

"But it will be jam-packed full of kids, and you can't get anything like a panto audience anywhere else in the world."

This year, everyone has a chance of taking to the stage with Neil thanks to Fame Factor – Derby Live's search for a star competition with a prize of joining the Cinderella cast.

"It's a unique chance to be part of the show," says Neil.

"It's probably the most exciting thing about the panto and, who knows, we may be digging up the next Will Young.

"It's going to be great. We will be approaching it with every ounce of professionalism but we have got to have fun. It's hard work but if we are having fun so will the audience."

Cinderella will be at Derby Assembly Rooms from December 9 to January 10. For tickets, call 01332 255800.

Visit our website www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk to see a video interview with Neil.