DANI Harmer may be one of the most in-demand pantomime stars in the UK right now.

She has played pretty much every princess you can think of, as well as starring in the title role in Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz and many more.

However, this year, playing Snow White at The Anvil has an extra special feeling to it.

“This is the first year my daughter will be coming to see me perform,” Harmer tells The Gazette.

“I mean she is at that age where she can come and see what mummy does for a job, but she might end up seeing me on stage and start crying and have to leave the theatre.

“Or hopefully it could be the start of our own family Christmas tradition.”

Growing up in Berkshire and still living in the area, working in Basingstoke has meant that Harmer has been able to stay close to her family while she prepares for the upcoming run of shows.

She added: “Usually during panto season you are away from your loved ones for a long period, and it can be a bit back and forth.

“But thankfully this time I’m not that far away so I will most certainly have friends and family coming to see me.”

Harmer has been in the spotlight since the age of six, when she appeared in the Pete Townsend rock musical Tommy, but went on to make her name playing the lead role on the CBBC series The Story of Tracy Beaker.

And like her TV role, spending her festive period in theatres around the country has almost become the norm.

She added: “It is something that I am used to now, but I absolutely love it.

“Getting into the costume for the first time, meeting the rest of the cast and learning how you are all going to interact with one another is all part of the excitement.

“And for me, it truly signifies the start of Christmas.”

And, for the actress, remembering the importance of the role the pantomime plays at Christmas is one of the reasons she keeps coming back.

Like many of her co-stars, Harmer explains that pantomimes are all about making memories for the audience in attendance each night.

“Going to the panto with your family is such a British thing,” Harmer adds.

“The challenge for us is to make a lasting impression, not just on the youngsters but the people in their mid-thirties who are coming along as part of the tradition.”

Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs will run at the Anvil from December 13 to January 6.

For more details and tickets go to anvilarts.org.uk/whats-on.