´óÏó´«Ã½

I Can Cook presenter Katy Ashworth pulls on her golden leggings to play the title role of Aladdin in the CBeebies Christmas pantomime. Here she describes the magic of pantomime and reveals her best Christmas presents ever...

Tell us about your character.

Aladdin is a cool kid. He's very active, he's got loads of friends and he's very adventurous. He's completely in love with Princess Jasmine because he peeked over the palace wall and saw her feeding her tiger. When he finds out Jasmine is due to be wed he's devastated and that's how he ends up doing things for Abanazar – not for money but for love.

Can you describe your outfit?

My costumes are great – big, high heels and golden leggings! Because I'm a girl playing Aladdin my costumes are really glamorous – very sparkly, with lovely bright metallic colours.

What do you love about pantomime?

I love the slapstick comedy and the fact that everyone loves it and you always come out feeling good. The rules sort of go out of the window and you can tell that the people on the stage are having as much fun as the audience.

What is your first pantomime memory?

My first panto memory was seeing Bobby Davro I think in Woking. He corpsed on stage and the whole audience laughed for about half an hour and he couldn't get back to his line!

Can you explain the magic appeal of panto?

I think the magic of panto comes out in the costumes and also the atmosphere. It's so Christmassy and sparkly – it's bright, colourful and fun – visually it's just magical.

What are you doing for Christmas this year?

I'm doing Peter Pan in panto in St Albans! But Christmas Day I will spend at my Dad's house. All the family will be round watching the Queen's speech and eating loads and loads of food.

What is your best ever Christmas present?

There are two. When I was 14 I was given a video camera and I started making TV shows in my loft from that moment.

What would you like for Christmas?

I'd like plant pots. I've just moved house and I've got a balcony and I want to grow things on it, so plant pots!

Finally, what is your Christmas wish?

I just want to have a lovely, lovely day with my family.