HE may now be running his own tattoo studio in Kent but for former Towie star Dan Osborne a trip back to his home county is going to be a real treat this Christmas.

That’s because Dan is playing the part of Gaston in the Princes Theatre’s production of Beauty and the Beast.

Dan is no stranger to Panto having appeared in a couple of shows before, his first in front of a very potentially rowdy audience in Liverpool.

He said: “When I was first asked, I thought ‘no chance, I’m not doing that’ but once I got into it I really enjoyed the whole thing.

“It’s great to be able to interact with audiences and being part of a show that everyone enjoys watching.

“I’d heard about Polka Dot Pantomimes from friends and knew that the Princes Theatre’s productions are always really impressive,.

“So when I was asked by the producers to take part in this one, I had no hesitation in saying yes.”

Appearing in panto is a long way from Dan’s current passion which is running his own tattoo studio in Bexleyheath.

“That’s what I’ve always wanted to do,” he tells me, “right from when I was young. When I left school I was modelling and tattooing at the same time. The producers of Towie I think saw my modelling and that’s how I got invited to take part in the show.

“I’ll be honest I’d never heard of it before I started, which I think was around series eight. It was a proper new experience for me and I kind of enjoyed it but it’s been more the stuff that’s led on from Towie that I’ve really enjoyed.”

As well as appearing on ITV’s celebrity diving show, Splash, and of course starting a family with and getting married to EastEnders actress Jacqueline Jossa, it’s been the chance to tattoo some of the biggest names in football.

“The telly never really bothered me that much,” Dan admits. “It’s the tattooing I really love and this studio is a proper dream come true.

“I’ve tattooed Arsenal’s Theo Walcott and former Liverpool striker Djibril Cissé and even went out to Qatar to do one.

“Everything happens for a reason and I suppose that’s probably why I went on Towie, so many amazing things have happened to me because of it.”

And now he’s back on the stage because of it as well, and with his two young children now a little bit older Dan’s particularly looking forward to introducing them to the theatre for the first time.

He says: “Well we only get Christmas Day off so I’ll be at home with my family, which is exactly how I want to spend my Christmas Day. They’ve not really been old enough to take it all in before so I’m excited to be able to bring my kids to see this show as they have seen the film and will love the panto version too.”

Dan is also rather excited about being back home in Essex.

“I was more East London in Barking,” he explains, “but I lived in Chelmsford for a while. That said I’ve visited Clacton many times before but mainly in the summer, so I’m looking forward to seeing it at Christmas too.

“The cast and crew at the theatre are all really lovely so I know we will have a great time and I’m looking forward to meeting everyone that comes to watch the show too.

“Seeing 750 people at every performance having a great time at Christmas will be really rewarding and I’m delighted that I will be part of this magical production.

And on playing ‘heartthrob’ Gaston, Dan reveals: “The only problem is the one girl Gaston is interested in, Belle, has no interest in him which annoys him.

“When he learns of Belle’s friendship with the Beast his jealousy makes him want to keep them apart forever and he sets off to try and kill the beast.

“Of course like all good pantomimes there is a happy ending and Gaston gets what he deserves.

“It’s been a lot of fun rehearsing, I just can’t wait for the show to start now.”