Having made his pantomime debut in 2022 as the Prince in Cinderella, George Shelley returns to the role of the Prince for The Alban Arena’s pantomime Cinderella this Christmas. George is set to open in the St Albans pantomime on Thursday 12th December, running until Sunday 12th January, and he will be working closely with Bessy Ewa as Cinderella and Samantha Womack as the Fairy. Further projects for George have seen him be a contestant on Queens for the Night (for which he was mentored by La Voix), and in 2022, he was on the line-up of Sport Relief: All Star Games Birmingham competing in the 4x100m relay and the 3×3 basketball event. Since auditioning for The X Factor in 2012, where he joined the boy band Union J, the group reunited in 2022 for their 10th Anniversary, and in 2015, George was a finalist on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!. During his time as a radio presenter on The Capital Breakfast Show, George interviewed a number of music artists including Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake and Shawn Mendes. We recently chatted to George about playing the Prince in Cinderella at The Alban Arena in St Albans, being part of Queens for the Night and Sport Relief and being a member of boy band Union J.

How does it feel to be returning to pantomime this year to play the Prince in Cinderella at The Alban Arena at St Albans?

I am beyond excited this year. I feel like I am much more prepared. I’ve learnt all the material already and I know the songs like the back of my hand. They’re both songs that I really, really enjoy singing. They suit my voice and fit my register and I feel like there’s something extra magical in the air this year.

Having played the Prince previously, how is it playing the character and what can audiences expect from your portrayal?

I don’t want to give away too much, but I can tell you there is definitely a lot more depth to this year’s Prince. Previously, the Prince has been portrayed as regal and uptight. This production has the Prince as a more dynamic and fun character. It’s 2024 and pantos have become part of our culture, but I’m really excited about how things are being shaken up. I think this pantomime really has something to say.

What was it like meeting the rest of the cast for the first time, which includes Bessy Ewa as Cinderella and Samantha Womack as the Fairy?

Okay, first of all, when Samantha knocked on my dressing room door to introduce herself, I was taken aback from how stunningly beautiful she is. She made me think “Woah, you’re gorgeous!”. She’s very funny, giggly, and has really lovely energy to be around. I can’t wait to spend my Christmas with her. I think we’re going to get on very well. Bessy is going to make an absolutely wonderful Cinderella. We haven’t been able to spend as much time together yet but with rehearsals starting in a couple of days I’m sure by the end of the first day Bessy will become a bestie. I do know she is a proper professional and very good at what she does and I feel very lucky to be sharing the stage with her.

How do you find the experience of interacting with a pantomime audience?

I love audience interaction and I love being in the audience at pantomimes! I feel like all of my years being on stage have given me the confidence to feel free enough to have a laugh and be silly, which is exactly what you need for a panto. It’s all about bringing all the fun and joy and not taking yourself too seriously. There’s nothing like the laughter of an audience and the smiles on all the kids’ faces.

What are you looking forward to for opening in Cinderella on Thursday 12th December?

I’m looking forward to getting settled in. I feel like I’m going on holiday for the Christmas period and I always like to make my space cosy and comfortable, so I’m looking forward to decorating my dressing room, being backstage with the cast, getting those first show butterflies and then, of course, seeing everybody’s reactions to the brilliant show. I still laugh at every single joke even after reading them so many times!

Why would you recommend booking tickets to see Cinderella at The Alban Arena?

Well, to start with, St Albans is an absolutely stunning place. It’s one of my dream places to live, so if you’re from outside of St Albans, it’s really worth coming to see. I’ve been telling all of my friends how much more excited I am about this year’s pantomime because the script is so good, the cast are all so lovely; especially the stepsisters, they are just brilliant! Also, the venue itself is really lovely. I had dinner in St Albans last week and took a stroll up to the Alban Arena and I felt very lucky and excited to be a part of something so special.

How was it making your pantomime debut in 2022 as Prince Charming in Cinderella at The Orchard Theatre?

Honestly, I was really nervous. I had only ever seen one pantomime before and it had been quite a long time since I acted on stage, so I didn’t really know what to expect. I’ve definitely grown a lot in the last two years. I’m feeling much more confident and prepared. I’ve really thrown myself back into creativity and music the past year so I feel super ready and excited. Christmas is always a difficult time for me. Christmas Day is my sister Harriet’s birthday and she passed away in 2017. I feel like I’ve come a long way in my grief journey and this year I’m really allowing myself to feel happy and Christmassy again, which I haven’t felt in a very long time. So, for that reason, I’m grateful for pantomime and it relighting the Christmas spirit within me.

What was it like being a contestant on Queens for the Night alongside your drag mentor La Voix?

La Voix is an absolute darling and one of the best drag queens I have ever met. She’s got real dedication to the craft and she is everything that drag is about. She’s traditional, hilarious, has an incredible voice, and is an excellent mentor. I’m so proud to see her on RuPaul’s Drag Race this year and wish her all the best in her success. I really look up to her and how much passion she has for her craft and her art form.

You were part of Sport Relief All Star Games: Birmingham 2022 in the 4x100m relay and 3×3 basketball, how was this?

Not going to lie, I have never really been into sport. I did everything I could to get out of PE at school. I’m pretty sure I forged my own sick notes, sorry Mum! I have just never really been that much of a sporty guy, I’m much more of an artist. I do enjoy running though and I really appreciate how important exercise is for my mental stability, so I do go on jogs and spend time working out at the gym. It’s just the competitiveness behind sport I’ve never been that bothered by. That being said, it was for an amazing cause and I thought I’d challenge myself and throw myself into something that would push me outside of my comfort zone. I have no idea how to play basketball and still don’t, and by the time I got the baton in the relay we were already way far behind, so I just enjoyed the run! It was an experience I’ll never forget!

What did you enjoy most about your time as a member of Union J and how was it reuniting for your 10th Anniversary in 2022?

Wow, where to begin. I don’t think there’s one thing I could say I enjoyed most. The whole experience was a roller coaster and something I look back at with great fondness. I wouldn’t be who I am today without the lessons I learned from that experience, and the relationships I have with Jaymi (Hensley), Josh (Cuthbert) and JJ (Hamblett) are still as strong as they were the day we met, so if anything, I’m just glad to have them in my life.

What are some of your favourite highlights from your music career since auditioning for The X Factor in 2012?

My favourite highlight was definitely hearing Carry You for the first time and then having the opportunity to work with amazing producers such as Steve Mac and Diane Warren. Singing live on stage with Rod Stewart was pretty cool too. Being able to turn my passion into something that became my career from such a young age was a blessing. Music will always be a part of me and every day is the start of the rest of my life, so who knows what’s to come?

In 2016, you became a presenter on The Capital Breakfast Show, do you have any stand-out memories from being a radio presenter and working with the station?

I’m a huge Lady Gaga fan and I love pop music so being able to interview her and iconic pop icons like Justin Timberlake and Shawn Mendes made the 4am starts worth it.

What was it like being a contestant on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2015 and reaching the Final?

This is something that still feels absolutely unbelievable. I never really watched the show before I went in. I didn’t know what to expect but it was one of the most amazing things that have happened in my life so far. I haven’t had a chance yet to watch this year’s season because I’ve been preparing for the pantomime amongst other fun things, but I just hope they’re all doing okay because I know how challenging that is, not just in the challenges themselves, but the personal journey each contestant goes through. I feel really lucky to have been part of such an amazing season with Tony Hadley, Ferne McCann and, of course, the divisive Lady C. What a memory!

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