THE clock is ticking down towards Christmas and the feast of festive entertainment provided by Basildon's Towngate Theatre and its annual pantomime – but there are still some great nights with a variety of shows to whet your appetite.

This weekend, for example, the ever-popular John Barrowman is in town with his 'Camp as Christmas' show.

Expect a sleigh-full of your festive favourites and stunning Christmas Carols, all wrapped up with John's personal stories, joyful anecdotes and infectious energy.

And you can get into festive mode again on Thursday (13 November) with the arrival of 'Step into Christmas' once again for one the most magical, feel-good shows of the year!

There may well be a change of mood the following evening when comedian Roy Chubby Brown dons his googles to entertain at the town centre venue. His 'It's Simply Comedy' show might not be to everyone's taste – and comes with a mirth warning – but in his 50^th year in the business the Georgie comic still packs them into the nation's theatres.

A busy of shows continues on Saturday (15 November) when the Towngate stages 'A Fairytale for Christmas' - the ultimate Irish-inspired Christmas concert.

Raising the roof on Sunday – and completing a momentous week of entertainment, Sunday sees Radio GaGa. The ultimate tribute to Queen.

It's the ultimate celebration of the biggest band to have ever graced the stage, the iconic Queen.

That feast of performances clears the way for the Towngate's major event of the year, it's pantomime.

Basildon favourites, Sophie Ladds and Ian Hallard, will return to the stage as everyone's favourite panto villain and dame in 'Sleeping Beauty' from  Thursday, 27 November – right through to 4 January.

Sophie will be playing the evil Carabosse and Ian returns as sassy Dame Dolly. Joining Ian and Sophie will be Sophia Ragavelas as Fairy Moonbeam, Thomas Griffiths as Prince Charming, Michael Ayiotis as Jangles and Jazz Cave will be making her professional debut as Princess Aurora!