Forget the suave and dashing Prince that normally features in pantomimes.

Ex-EastEnder Sam Attwater is playing for laughs in the Central Theatre’s festive show, which started its run yesterday (Thursday).

“I’m playing a comedy prince and it is so much fun,” said the young star of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

“Normally he’s a serious, floaty prince, but this Prince Charming thinks he has it all, but nothing quite goes right.

“His sword gets tangled up in things and while he thinks he is cool like Danny Zuko, he is actually a bumbling idiot.”

The 27-year-old first appeared on our TV screens as Ricky in Hollyoaks before he moved to EastEnders spin-off E20 and then the main soap as heartthrob Leon Small, quickly becoming a favourite with millions of viewers.

He went on to win Dancing on Ice in 2011 and also won the touring version of the show when he skated alongside Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.

And after Snow White, it will be back to the ice for Sam who is one of the winners chosen to take part in the final all-stars series of DOI early next year.

But for now it’s all about panto.

“When I’m on stage I love that live audience. The thrill is incredible,” he said.

“On television you get more than one chance and get to perfect it but on stage you only have one opportunity. I love the adrenaline. Anything can go wrong. It looks like it is easy and everyone is just messing around on stage, but there is an art to it.”

He added: “It is going really well and it is a really strong cast.

“The audience can expect gags, audience participation and patronisation. It is one of the funniest pantomimes I’ve done and this is my eighth.”

Joining him on stage is comedy ventriloquist Steve Hewlett, who went down a storm with his puppets Arthur Lager and Simon Cowell in the final of Britain’s Got Talent.

Steve is playing Herman the Henchman while Rainham’s Tarryn Gee takes the title role of Snow White.

• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is at The Central Theatre, Chatham, until January 5. For more details and to book, visit www.medwayticketslive.co.uk or call 01634 338338