BRIAN Conley will star in the Manchester Opera Houses panto, Cinderella, next Christmas.

The all-round entertainer, who began as a Pontins Bluecoat and this year celebrates a quarter of a century in showbusiness, will play Buttons.

Conley has lost count of the number of pantos he has appeared in, but has lost none of his enthusiasm for them.

"I absolutely love doing it," he said. "I believe it is an art form and everyone has to enjoy themselves."

Although he warns he might be a bit cheeky, Conley is very conscious that he will be playing to children as well as grown-ups.

As he has two daughters -- Amy, aged six, and Lucy, who is nearly two -- he knows what small children enjoy and says he loves playing to them.

Well-known to television audiences for a number of TV programmes, including The Brian Conley Show, the performer has also appeared on the West End stage and in films.

As usual with the multi-talented Conley, you can expect the unexpected. Somehow he will be introducing his favourite characters, Nick Frisby and Dangerous Brian, to the plot, and he has even promised to fit in Al Jolson!

Joining him will be Nigel Ellacott and Peter Robbins, who are billed as "The Best Ugly Sisters in the Business". Their experiences as the country's leading Ugly Sisters were the subjects of the Channel 4 documentary, Pantoland.

Also in Cinderella is the ventriloquist Dawson Chance as Baron Hardup and he will be accompanied by his puppet pals.

Real Shetland ponies are also promised.

Cinderella will be at the Manchester Opera House from December 12 to January 18.