Essex girl Leanne Jarvis became a household name after appearing as a finalist on BBC talent show The Voice.

The singer is now coming to Carlisle to make her pantomime debut in the annual Sands Centre show - and she said it is a dream come true.

"This is my first ever pantomime and I get to play Cinderella. How good is that? I get to be a real life Disney princess - that's every girl's dream," she tells The Cumberland News.

Now 27, Jarvis has been on the fringes of the music industry since her teenage years, desperate for a way in.

She's been in girl bands and tried solo, but it was appearing on the second series of The Voice, having won over judge Will.I.Am, that finally gave her the break she needed. 

"It's changed my life and opened doors I never imagined. I haven't stopped," says Jarvis, who went on to star in the UK tour of Godspell.

"Before that I'd been mainly singing and trying to make it as a pop star. Now I've discovered musical theatre, which is something I'd never even considered before. 

"It's really different for me and I love it - I've got a newfound passion."

Having been a childhood fan of panto, she can't contain her excitement about playing Cinderella. "When I saw myself on the poster I was so excited. I feel like I'm in a real fairytale."

Jarvis is the title character among a star-studded cast secured for this year's pantomime.

It will also star Sheila Ferguson, of 1970s soul group the Three Degrees, as the Fairy Godmother, former Eastender and Dancing on Ice champion Sam Attwater at the Prince and Connor Byrne from CBBC's Tracey Beaker as Baron Hardup.

The cast also includes CFM's Robbie Dee - returning to the Sands pantomime for the 13th year - as Buttons, and Carlisle-based performing arts student Charlie Brindley, 19, as Dandini.

Having met the cast for the first time this week, Dee can't wait to get started. "There's nothing quite like it. Panto is a great British institution and it's so much fun to be part of.

"I love the camaraderie and we have a fantastic cast this year. Sam and I have been sharing a dressing room and he's a great guy. Sheila is great - a real singing diva. It's going to be fun."

Last year's pantomime was the Sands Centre's highest grossing ever - so organisers have a lot to live up to.

But they are confident Cinderella will pull in the crowds.

Guy Pascall, who has directed the show for the past three years, says 2015 will have the biggest cast they've ever had.

"Last year was great. We broke box office records, so we have to somehow top that," he explains.

"But Cinderella is the most magical. It has a bit of everything and I'm really excited to be back with such a great cast.

Tickets for the show, which runs from December 11 to 31, are now on sale. Call the Sands Centre box office on 01228 633766 or visit thesandscentre.co.uk .