SHANE Richie is the King of panto- he can sing, he can dance and most importantly he had both children and adults in stitches.

He is the star of the show at the Wycombe Swan's pantomime, Cinderella, which started last weekend and runs until January.

The word spectacular is often used too much with pantomimes but it really is a sight to behold- there was a flying horse and cart, explosions and even 3D.

It started with a toe-tapping rendition of Black Eyed Peas, I Gotta Feeling, which set the pace for the rest of the show.

And there were great songs throughout with the Ugly Sisters singing a toe-curling version of Lady Gaga's Born This Way and a funny performance, mainly down to Richie, of Glee's Don't Stop Believin'.

But the music was just a small part of this brilliant panto with the Eastenders star really making it what it was.

Richie, who plays Cinderella's best friend, Buttons, just knows how to work an audience- it doesn't seemed forced at all and he is a great showman.

He burst onstage singing Olly Murs' Dance With Me Tonight before he proceeded to edge his way through the audience stalls and dance with one of the mums.

Back onstage he joked and pranced his way through the show- with silliness galore for the children and a few more risqué jokes for the adults.

His facial expressions alone just made me laugh and he seemed to put his all into it and wanted everyone to have a good time.

Carly Day excelled as the beautiful Cinderella and had a great voice, as did Sean Needham as Prince Charming.

Martin Ramsdin and David Robbins were brilliant as The Ugly Sisters- they had numerous outfit changes, which seemed to get more outrageous each time- with their head gear challenging the heights of even Lady Gaga.

Penni Tovey shone as The Fairy Godmother and even skated around the stage, while Duncan Leighton pulled off the role of Dandini with ease and style.

The ensemble were also fantastic- keeping up their energetic dance routines throughout- and the little children from the Jackie Palmer Stage School were incredibly cute and also very good.

It's a thoroughly modern pantomime but still keeps the magic of what this British tradition is all about and there was a great buzz from the audience.

Qdos and The Wycombe Swan definitely know how to put on an amazing show and with Shane Richie at the helm it's a recipe for a brilliant pantomime.

Cinderella runs until January 5. Tickets range from £19 to £30.50. To book call 01494 512000 or go to www.wycombeswan.co.uk