With most pantomimes called off this year (thanks coronavirus), the This Morning gang took it upon themselves to deliver a bit of festive cheer to the nation’s living rooms on Friday.
The ITV daytime show was even more laden with innuendo than usual as it put on a star-studded mash up of classic pantos, including Cinderella, Aladdin, Dick Whittington, Jack and the Beanstalk and Snow White.
Hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield were transformed into Cinderella and Buttons, while Alison Hammond took on the role of the Fairy Godmother.
They were joined in the studio by other members of the This Morning family, including Ruth Langsford, Eamonn Holmes, Alice Beer, Dr Ranj, Dr Zoe, Lisa Snowdon, Phil Vickery and Steve Wilson, while Josie Gibson, Sharon Marshall, Nick and Eva Speakman, Gyles Brandreth, Vanessa Feltz and Deidre Sanders joined in the fun remotely.
There were also some very special guests including, Joanna Lumley as the wicked stepmother, Sheridan Smith as Peter Pan and panto stalwart Christopher Biggins as Sarah the Cook.
Holly was nearly in tears as she got to wear a huge Princess dress, saying: “I love it, I just love it. I genuinely don’t think I’ve been this happy.
“I’m holding it together not to cry. My glitter might run down my face.”
There was a particularly hilarious segment as Phil cooked up as sausage pie for Cinderella and Buttons as they hunted to find the glass slipper (no prizes for guessing what the jokes revolved around).
In the final act, Phil and Holly went to Prince Charming’s socially distanced ball in their carriage, where they were met by Sheridan in character as Peter Pandemic (see what they did there?).
However, the Cilla star was having some trouble with the false teeth she was made to wear for the role, much to everyone’s amusement.
Prince Charming was then unveiled as none other than I’m A Celebrity’s Shane Richie who was “over the Alfie Moon to get the role!”.
After Sheridan then performed a rendition of Rocking Around The Christmas tree, Phillip said: “Hope that helped to brighten up your Christmas a little bit.”
Holly also thanked some of the panto world’s best cast and crew members who had helped them stage the production, before revealing it was their final show before the Christmas break.
Eamonn and Ruth will host This Morning over the Christmas break, although Holly and Phil will return to present a special episode on Christmas Day, marking the first time the show has aired on 25 December.
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.
