An actor who was one of the first people to get a degree in panto has landed his dream role.

Jefferson Parlett, from Plymouth, has been cast as Simple Simon in Jack and The Beanstalk at The Corn Hall in Diss.

The show, produced by SparkLive, will run from December 20 to 29.

While he has worked professionally as an actor, he struggled to get a role in panto without experience.

Jefferson Parlett makes his panto debut at The Corn Hall in Diss this Christmas as Simple SimonJefferson Parlett makes his panto debut at The Corn Hall in Diss this Christmas as Simple Simon (Image: SparkLive/The Corn Hall)

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It had been his dream since watching Gary Wilmot play Dick Whittington as a child. 

Determined to achieve his goal, he enrolled on the new contemporary pantomime practice Master's course at the University of Staffordshire. 

Since graduating, he has secured his first panto role in Norfolk. 

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Vanessa Feltz and Gyles Brandreth were inside the panto horse costume on This MorningVanessa Feltz and Gyles Brandreth were inside the panto horse costume on This Morning (Image: ITV)

He appeared on Friday's episode of ITV1's This Morning with Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary ahead of his debut. 

He also taught the pair some techniques, which involved a panto horse with Gyles Brandreth and Vanessa Feltz inside. 

Catch up on the episode on ITVX and book tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk at thecornhall.co.uk