CRIMINAL Barrister and TV’s Rob Rinder has shared his memories of spending summer weekends in Westcliff as a child ahead of taking to the Cliffs Pavilion stage for this year’s panto.
The 45-year-old, from Westminster, told BBC Essex presenter Sadie Nine his cabbie driving dad or grandad would whisk him to the seaside resort if it was a sunny weekend.
Even though he added summer holidays were shared between Westcliff and Bournemouth, he said he “prefers” the south Essex destination.
It comes as the TV star is playing Captain Hook in this year’s Cliffs Pavilion panto Peter Pan, alongside comedian Joe Pasquale and dame extraordinaire David Robbins.
He told Sadie: “My dad and my grandad were both taxi drivers, and if it was a warm Saturday or Sunday, you’d know you were going to get picked up early in the taxi and be taken to Westcliff.
“All of my summers, all of the memories are here.
“This was our summer holidays, this and Bournemouth, but I prefer it here.
“Sorry, Bournemouth.”
Running from December 9 to December 31, the audience are set to be taken on a magical trip to Neverland with Wendy (Michelle Francis) Tinkerbelle (Ciara Ford), John and Michael Darling.
There will be “amazing special effects, stunning sets, beautiful costumes and a barrel-loads of laughter” in this adventure, based on the 1904 J M Barrie play.
Carolyne Goodall, 54, of Woodlands Park, Leigh, is attending the December 19 performance with her 11-year-old triplets and three grandchildren, and is going to be in the second row of the main stalls.
She said: “I’m really looking forward to it because it looks like it’s going to be a good one.
“My mum used to take us all but after she passed away two years ago, I now take everyone to the yearly pantos.
“As the little ones wanted to feel more involved with the show, we’ve booked seats in the second row.
“It’s going to be a fantastic day.”
Tickets for the Christmas Eve 1pm performance is sold out, with other dates selling fast.
Seats for the show range from £15 to £47.
For more information, visit: trafalgartickets.com/cliffs-pavilion-southend/en-GB/event/pantomime/peter-pan-tickets.
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