Interview by Lauren Foster

Starring singer, actor, presenter and entertainer John Barrowman, soap-star Steve McFadden, legendary comedy-duo The Krankies, Matt Slack – who makes a triumphant return to the Hippodrome stage for this fourth panto season – and I’d Do Anything winner Jodie Prenger, audiences can expect plenty of laughs, outrageous costumes, wonderful sets and scenery, and some amazing special effects. Dick Whittington is pantomime at its best and the perfect treat for all the family.

We caught up with Steve McFadden ahead of his performance as King Rat...

You’re no stranger to the world of pantomime, Steve. What do you find appealing about it?
The change, really. Completely throwing away Phil Mitchell, getting away from all the am-dram stuff that is being in the studio and getting into a live theatre like the Hippodrome.

You’ll be working hard over Christmas. Do you have any festive traditions you’re determined to fit in, despite the heavy workload?
Well, I’ve got five children and they’ll all be coming to see me - that’s a regular thing. Hopefully my mum and dad as well.

You’re playing the part of King Rat. You’ve played an array of pantomime villains. What appeals to you about playing evil characters?
They’re the only ones they ask me to play! They tell me what to play and I play it. That suits me, though - I’m not going to be a fairy queen, am I?

You’ve played Phil Mitchell in EastEnders for over 25 years, and have been at the centre of a number of high-profile storylines. Do you have a favourite one?
The alcoholism storyline because it’s been such a long and colourful journey, and demanding. It’s lasted a long time. Phil’s liver failure is part of it, and then whatever happens after that will also be part of it. It’s kind of ongoing.

You play an exceptionally good drunk. Phil is currently dying from liver failure due to years of alcohol abuse. In acting terms, how challenging has that particular storyline been for you?
It’s challenging because if you get it wrong, it’s very noticeable. You’re exposed if you can’t pull it off. I’ve had people say that I get it right, and hopefully I can pull it off. 

This year has seen you reunited with your on-screen brother, Ross Kemp, and on-screen mom, Barbara Windsor. How did it feel to be acting alongside them again after such a long time? 
Well, Ross was very impressive. He got into gear very quickly after being away for quite a while. He said himself that he was a little bit nervous and a bit rusty, but by the second scene he was absolutely flying. That was impressive. And Barbara, it was very sad to lose her; to know that that’s the end of our on-screen relationship. So it was bittersweet, really. I did some good work in it and Barbara did some good work in it. It was lovely to have her back, but knowing it was the end, it was very sad. 

Do you think soaps have changed since you first joined EastEnders? 
I think they’re more appreciated now than they used to be. I think people realise now that it’s not as easy as it looks. They’ve got more respect than they used to have, so I’m pleased about that.

What originally inspired you to enter the acting profession?
D’you know what, I honestly don’t know. I decided to do it at the age of 25. I suddenly decided I wanted to do it, set about it, then suddenly I was at drama school. I was older than the teachers, that’s how old I was!

Are there any roles you’d particularly love to play?
I’m not one of those people who thinks I’ve got to go through it all. I kind of try to make Phil my journey - well, so far anyway. Occasionally I’ve been King Lear, sometimes Iago. I’ve played Shakespearian-type rolls within the framework of Phil Mitchell. I’ve used him as a way of doing what I’ve wanted to do.

Would you consider taking part in any reality TV shows?
I definitely would say no, but then you never know; you could have the tax man knocking on your door. I’m not one of those judgmental people who thinks reality TV people are our poor relations, and that they shouldn’t be allowed the limelight. It’s amazing what some of those people do, and how they create careers out of very little. I respect that. And sometimes you’ve just got to pay a tax bill, so sometimes you have to do it. I wouldn’t say never, because you never know...

You’ve won numerous awards, including Villain Of The Year, Best Actor, Best Male Soap Star and, most recently, the British Soap Awards’ Outstanding Achievement Award. It must be a great feeling to know that, even after such a long time, the British public still love your work...
I think that’s what I’ve ended up feeling, that I’ve achieved something. To get there is one thing, but to sustain it is another. Sustaining the intensity and credibility of a character for such a long time is something to be proud of, I think.

Dick Whittington shows at Birmingham Hippodrome from 19 December until 29 January.