RHYL pantomime star Chico has spoken of how he “feels at home” in Rhyl ahead of the first show.
The star rose to prominence by reaching the quarterfinals of The X-Factor in 2005, before his chart-topping single ‘It’s Chico Time’ made him a household name.
A member of a star-studded cast for Rhyl’s Christmas Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime, which includes famous faces from The Bill and 'Allo 'Allo!, his experience in Rhyl has come “full circle”.
“I’m absolutely honoured to be here,” he told the Journal.
“Rhyl was actually one of my first gigs after X-Factor, and I was also here last year around October for this thing called Bingo Time at Majestic Bingo – it’s all come full circle.
“I got a phone call from my agent – this is my 15th panto – and this year I didn’t know if I could do it.”
After plans to perform in Europe and South America happened to be pushed back until after Christmas, Chico jumped at the chance to perform in Rhyl.
READ MORE:
Chico and fellow panto stars call in at Rhyl pub and restaurant
Pop artist Chico part of star-studded Rhyl Christmas panto
He continued: “It’s an all-star cast, I am going to be playing King Bling, who is the father of the princess, and I’m really cherishing the fact I can sink my teeth into a completely different character.
“I’d like to do something slightly different, something that people will not expect, because they already know the ‘Chicoisms’ and Chico character.
“I can’t wait, I love this, it’s a time when I get to be a little Chico, the boy within.
“I love family entertainment, it’s a magical time but for those couple of hours you get to be a family and that to me is priceless.”
On his impressions of the town, which he said is “fantastic”, the star said it was like coming home, owing to his little-known place of birth.
“Any place that has a sea is good enough to me,” he added.
“People don’t know, I’m actually Welsh by birth, I was born in Bridgend, so whenever I come to Wales I just subconsciously feel at home.”
Joining Chico are 'Allo 'Allo! actor Arthur Bostrom, Britain’s Got Talent finalist duo Jamie Leahey and Chuck, Casualty star Amanda Henderson, The Bill actor Graham Cole, and Hollyoaks actress Amy-Jane Ollies.
This story follows country boy Jack, who trades the family cow for a handful of magic beans, which grow into an enormous beanstalk reaching up into the clouds.
Jack and the Beanstalk opens at Rhyl Pavilion Theatre on December 9, and will run through until New Year’s Eve, December 31.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here