He found fame in EastEnders, before showing his skills in Dancing on Ice. Now Matt Lapinskas has taken on another new challenge, his first panto. Kathryn Tye chatted to the new Prince Charming.

Matt Lapinskas may not have starred in a pantomime before, but he knows a lot about them.

“I always went to see a pantomime at Christmas when I was younger, and those memories really stick with you,” said the 24-year-old. “It was just magical, and I’m looking forward to giving kids that same experience.”

The actor is playing Prince Charming in Cinderella at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre, alongside TV presenter Anna Williamson and Andrew Agnew, star of children’s programme Balamory, as Buttons.

Matt said: “I have done soap and a reality show, and I wanted to do something completely different. It is exciting to get back into live theatre, and get that adrenaline and buzz back.”

It’s the latest venture in a rollercoaster couple of years for Matt, who shot to fame in 2011 playing Anthony Moon in BBC soap opera EastEnders. His first TV role, he was the son of Eddie Moon, played by showbusiness legend David Essex.

Matt said: “The BBC gave me a big opportunity and I took it and took on board everything they said. It was a really weird experience walking on set and seeing these famous faces.

“David is an absolute legend. But working with him was amazing, he is an absolute gentleman, so laid back. I class him as a friend now.

“I loved working alongside Tony Discipline as well, who played my brother Tyler. We became best mates.”

Matt’s character was written out of the soap in August 2012, and the actor admits that he would be unlikely to go back to Albert Square.

“I probably wouldn’t return, as I have done that now. Also, they seem to have got rid of everybody that’s part of my family: David, me, now Tony, so there would nothing to go back to. I’d be sitting in the Queen Vic by myself!”

It was his departure from the soap which led to his appearance on the eighth series of Dancing on Ice at the start of the year.

He finished runner-up to Beth Tweddle, and describes his time on the show as ‘an unbelievable experience’.

He said: “Like anything I put myself through, I always give 110% and try my hardest, and I can’t thank the viewers enough for keeping me in.

"We did a nine-week tour after the show and had a great time. I love skating and do miss it now, as it became a big thing of my life.”

The show also had another big impact on his life, as it introduced him to skating partner, and girlfriend of nine months, Brianne Delcourt.

He said: “Brianne has become the absolute love of my life. I love her to pieces and we are still going strong today.”

In fact, while Matt is loving panto seaon, one thing he isn’t looking forward to this Christmas is not being able to see his Canadian girlfriend on the big day.

In true Prince Charming-style, he said: “If I could have one Christmas present this year, it would be to see Brianne as she is going back to Canada to see her family and I am working all through December.

"I would just like to see her for an hour on Christmas Day.”

Cinderella will be at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre until Sunday, January 5.

Tickets from £15. Call 0844 871 7620 or visit www.tgtickets. com/bromley

Click here to read a review of the show