In The Further Adventures of Peter Pan at the Forum Theatre Billingham, Michelle Heaton plays Tinker Bell with Ben-Ryan Davies playing Peter Pan, Connor McIntyre as Captain Hook, Robert Squire as Mrs Hook and Jessie Williams as Angela Darling, and the pantomime is written and directed by Liam Mellor (who also stars as Smee). Having previously been a finalist on Popstars in 2008, Michelle was announced as part of new group Liberty X, and earlier this year, Liberty X have performed at events such as Prides and Noughty 90’s Festival, with the group also consisting of Jessica Pietersen and Kelli Young. Next year, Michelle is starring on the UK Tour of The Ultimate Girl Band Show, and in 2024, she played Mrs McCarten in Gerry & Sewell at Newcastle Theatre Royal with her on-stage family Bill Ward and Erin Mullen. Michelle was a contestant on Series 15 of Dancing on Ice with her professional skating partner Łukasz Różycki in 2023, and she has appeared on shows such as Celebrity MasterChef and The Real Full Monty. Alongside acting and singing, Michelle is a motivational speaker and has released a book called Hot Flush: Motherhood, the Menopause and Me. We found out from Michelle about playing Tinker Bell in The Further Adventures of Peter Pan at Forum Theatre Billingham, being a member of Liberty X and the upcoming UK Tour of The Ultimate Girl Band Show.

This festive season, you are performing as Tinker Bell in Forum Theatre Billingham’s pantomime The Further Adventures of Peter Pan, what are you looking forward to for the run?

I always look forward to panto season, getting to share the stage with new talent and established screen talent. Getting to know the area and, of course, being so close to my hometown is amazing.

What can audiences expect from your portrayal of Tinker Bell and what is the character like to play?

Liam (Mellor) has written Tinker Bell as sassy, with a great attitude when it allows. Definitely no damsel in distress – she’s got some fire and, to be fair, is very similar to myself lol.

How do you find the experience interacting with a pantomime audience and seeing families getting involved?

The best part of panto is seeing the audience enjoy themselves. When the kids react to Captain Hook and how they really don’t want to see Tinker Bell get captured. The audience is everything to us.

Do you have a favourite aspect of pantomime season?

Definitely when I get to fly and sing Defying Gravity with Jess (Williams), who plays Angela – I adore her. But also, I get to sing one of Liberty X’s songs with Ben (Ryan Davies), who plays Peter Pan, and it’s a pleasure and joy to do so with him.

Why would you recommend booking tickets to see The Further Adventures of Peter Pan, which is booking at Forum Theatre Billingham until Sunday 4th January 2026?

This panto has been an absolute joy. The costumes, the special effects, song choices and, of course, the laughter – it’s got it all, and in such a great theatre. I can’t believe I get to play Tinker Bell – one of the most iconic characters on stage and screen.

As a member of Liberty X, how has it been performing at events this year such as at Prides and Noughty 90’s Festival and what do you enjoy most about touring with your fellow members Jessica Pietersen and Kelli Young?

I wouldn’t keep doing what we do if I didn’t love it still. Me and the girls have such a close bond, I couldn’t imagine it with anyone else. It feels safe and that’s the word I go after now at this point in my life.

What are some of your stand-out highlights from your career so far with Liberty X since being a contestant on Popstars?

Gosh, so many! I’ve been very blessed travelling the world with my best friends. Getting to number one and performing live on Top of the Pops was definitely one of them. Going on tour with Bon Jovi and P!nk all around Australia, and performing at the Royal Variety Performance in front of the King was just amazing!

It has been announced that you will starring in the UK Tour of Ultimate Girl Band Show next year; is there anything you can tell us about this and what do you think the show will be like to be part of?

It’s really scary to go out alone but how exciting to at the same time. I’m really looking forward to singing all the songs that have been so instrumental in why I wanted to be in the business to start with.

Can you tell us about playing Mrs McCarten in Gerry & Sewell at Newcastle Theatre Royal alongside your on-stage family Bill Ward and Erin Mullen?

This was one of my proudest moments in my career – performing with such talent in my hometown, in a theatre I had visited throughout my childhood while dreaming of being on that stage. Now it’s at the West End and I’m very sad I didn’t get to go with them but I’m obviously in panto.

How was your time as a contestant on Series 15 of Dancing on Ice in 2023 and learning to skate with your professional ice skating partner Łukasz Różycki?

It was a lot harder than I thought. I knew it would be difficult but it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I loved my time with my partner and enjoyed every minute of it, but I haven’t been back on the ice since, haha.

You were a contestant on this year’s series of Celebrity Masterchef, and have previously filmed for Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins and Celebrity Mastermind, what is it like filming for shows like these and being involved with The Real Full Monty?

The Real Full Monty was an extraordinary time in my life. Coming to terms with my operations and my BRCA2 gene, it helped me embrace my scars. I love taking part in the shows. I mean, what an amazing opportunity to do something in life you wouldn’t ever get the chance to do.

We understand you are a motivational speaker and have also released your book Hot Flush: Motherhood, the Menopause and Me, can you tell us about this side of your career?

I wrote the book as kind of a form of therapy for myself to understand how I had been affected throughout these times, and how my family had too. And in doing so, it’s opened up a world where it’s helped others feel like they are not alone and that there’s not one answer and how important it is to talk.

How did you originally get into performing and was it always something you wanted to do professionally?

I never knew a time when I didn’t want to be a performer. I was singing from a very early age and went to all the open auditions I could afford to in London in my teenage years. My big break was obviously on Popstars – the ITV TV show.

What are some of your favourite theatre shows to watch and music artists to listen to?

Dreamgirls is still my favourite production, closely followed by Mary Poppins. I’ve got a huge collection of music – everything from Bon Jovi to Freya Skye.

How do you like to spend your free time?

Cinema – I love films. We go as a family at least three times a month. And I live in the gym when I’m not working.

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