Anthea Turner talks to Jane McGowan about her upcoming performance as the Fairy Destiny in Jack and the Beanstalk at Windsor's Theatre Royal.
The transition from waving a feather duster to wielding a magic wand seems natural enough. So, with her TV stint as the eponymous ‘Perfect Housewife’ safely behind her, Anthea Turner is well prepared for her forthcoming pantomime duties. The domestic guru from the popular BBC Three series – in which she helped chaotic people to create immaculate homes – now takes to the Windsor stage as the bountiful Fairy Destiny in this year’s seasonal offering, Jack and the Beanstalk.
She’s in good company too. Children’s TV presenter and larger-than-life funnyman Timmy Mallett plays the King, sardonic Dancing on Ice judge Jason Gardiner is the Giant’s Henchman and the legendary Brian Blessed voices the Giant, adding gravitas with his own unique brand of sonic boom.
Anthea has played fairy godmothers before, but a repeat dose is more than enough to fulfil her ambitions in pantoland.
“I think, at my age, it’s the Fairy Godmother all the way,” she laughs.
And if her fairy powers were real, what special magic would she sprinkle over this festive period?
“I work for Action for Children, so I’d like all children to have a gift and a loving family around them. Sadly, for thousands this is not the case. As wonderful as Christmas is for some, for others it’s tragic.”
As for 2017, Anthea’s first project is an autobiography due out in the spring.
“It’s coming together really well and I can’t wait for people to read it,” she says guardedly.
Will it reveal any surprising aspects of her personality?
“I’ve been around rather too long to have secrets, haha!”
Even so, Anthea has faced considerable challenges in recent years and clearly wants to help others in similar situations. Readers will doubtless be intrigued to share the latest chapter of this domestic fairy godmother’s life.
Anthea stars in Jack and the Beanstalk at Theatre Royal Windsor, Dec 1-31; 01753 853888; theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk
Check out our Theatre/Arts Section for more festive local theatre stories
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates on all the latest local news
Sign up to our Weekly Newsletter for exclusive competitions, offers and stories
