A BASINGSTOKE plumber is leaving behind his plunger to be a star for the night when he joins the cast of a West End pantomime.

It will be a far cry from fixing toilets when Peter Davey takes to the stage of Theatre Royal Drury Lane tomorrow in front of a VIP-studded audience.

The 62-year-old, from Church Square, auditioned for Cinderella – Boom or Bust, after reading an article in The Gazette.

Back End Productions was searching for amateur performers to take part in a charity pantomime at the West End theatre, and Mr Davey responded.

He auditioned in front of a panel of judges singing Two Little Boys, and was astonished when he discovered he had a part opening the show, which transforms normal people into a star for the night.

Mr Davey, a father-of-one and grandfather-of-five, spent a week rehearsing for the panto, which will raise money for The Silver Lining Charity, which supports people who are brain damaged.

He said: “I’m going to be a caretaker cleaning up after everyone and sweeping up. There’s a mirror in the centre and I see myself and realise that behind me is the audience, and I turn around and I’m gobsmacked.”

Mr Davey has performed in Basingstoke hospital pantomimes in the past, but said he was teased when he was younger and wanted to pursue a career in acting.

Looking forward to Sunday, he said: “I won’t have another chance like this again,” adding: “I’m not a dancer and I’m tone deaf. I sound good in the bathroom.

“When I first arrived at the audition I had to do a song and dance. I can’t sing to music... they said it was quite comical.”

As the oldest person in the show, Mr Davey said he has loved the whole experience so far, adding: “The atmosphere is really good.”