BBC Morning Live presenter Gethin Jones is returning to the stage this Christmas in Cardiff New Theatre's pantomime, taking on the role of Filipe De Boeuf in Beauty and the Beast. The character is inspired by Disney's Gaston, who was played in the live action film by fellow Welshman Luke Evans.
The presenter revealed that he had contacted the Hollywood actor while trying on his pantomime costume for a promotional picture, although he is yet to get a reply from Luke.
No reply from Luke Evans
Gethin told WalesOnline: "I messaged him! After the photoshoot, I did send him a selfie of me dressed, because it's a very similar costume. Although, I'm playing Filipe De Boeuf, which is slightly different to Luke, I must say."
"I sent him a picture of me thinking, 'This is cool.' Still haven't heard back from him, but anyway, I'm sure he appreciated the selfie at the time."
A new comedic role
Beauty and the Beast will be Gethin's third pantomime at the New Theatre in Cardiff, having played the character of the prince for the last two years. The presenter joked that he's "furious" that he's been demoted this year, although he is looking forward to getting involved with more of the comedy this year.
He said: "It is different, but I think Mike Doyle has been getting involved with the script, and he's been throwing out a few gags downstairs and this sounds really, really good. It's a chance to be a bit more cheeky, and not the straight prince, but you've got to have the straight character to make the other things funny."
"So, it'll be good to be getting involved a bit more in the comedy this year."
Why he keeps returning
When asked what made him return to panto this year, he said "it's an absolute no-brainer." Gethin continued: "I never thought I'd do a panto, and then three years ago I turned up, so nervous, so determined to do a good job, and then it just flew by and loved it."
"To come back last year with, a lot of the same faces, especially within the theatre, off-stage as well, it's just a lovely gang here and everyone sort of pulls together. I think I'm probably right in saying that I would come back for as long as they want me to."
"I think being back in Cardiff, like, there was quite a bit going on with the family last year, so being back home is lovely. Doing something different to the day job, like exposing yourself to new challenges like theatre, from the day job is cool as well."
"So, from a personal, professional point of view, and also being in Cardiff and being around people, it just feels like home. Every crowd we get, it feels like home, and it's such an intimate theatre, so yeah, it's never a hard decision to make."
Cast changes and a break from Morning Live
Many members of the cast will be returning this year, including panto dame Mike Doyle and Liverpudlian actor Jack Ryan. However, one person who won't be in this year's show after two years is Owain Wyn Evans, who will instead be starring in Swansea's pantomime at The Grand Theatre.
Speaking about missing Owain, Gethin said: "He's gutted, I'm gutted. I'm really pleased for him because he's going to be absolutely brilliant in Swansea. Kind of a bit like me coming to Cardiff, that for him is the same, he's going back to Swansea. The jokes, the local jokes are slightly different."
"But, it's weird because we've got the same schedule, so we probably won't get a chance to see each other in the panto. I literally saw him last week, and we were chatting and saying we're going to miss each other. I think in our world, sometimes it's easy to miss something, but it's very important to have the gratitude of what we've had. We've had an amazing two years, and who knows in the future. But, I'm delighted for him, but we will miss him for sure."
Like last year, Gethin will be taking a break from Morning Live to allow him plenty of time to rehearse and take part in Beauty and the Beast. He said: "They're amazing! It will soon be six years that we've been on air, and it's amazing, I love it every day. The lead-up to Christmas is a really special time for us as well. But I think we all acknowledge that it's really good for me to have a break from something like that and do something different."
"If I'm really honest, it's good for them to have a break from me, and maybe the audience too. So just freshening things up, and it makes me more determined when I go back in January. So, they're pretty good."
"I do a bit of filming before, so I have a little bit of a presence on screen, and try and do the last show of the run, although we have three shows the next day here, so we'll see how that goes. It's lovely to be able to and I'm very, very grateful that they allow me to come and do it, and I get to have a real good laugh at Christmas and be around my friends and family."
Tickets for the New Theatre pantomime are available through their website.
