AS EX-ETON Road member David Heath prepares to take to the stage with spotted hanky on a stick and black cat in tow, he knows there will be at least one member of the audience cheering him on each night.

His mother, Sylvia, is planning to be at every evening performance of Dick Whittington, at Novas Contemporary Urban Centre, to watch her son in the starring role.

“She’s my biggest fan,” says the 22-year-old singer. “I think she’s more excited about it than me.”

Joining Sylvia will be David’s 14-year-old cousin Ellie, who is training at Chiltern School of Dance and Drama in West Derby. And there will be people he met while working as a dancer at Eurodisney, in Paris.

“All the friends I made from all around the world heard I’m in panto, so they’re all coming to see me,” says the X-Factor star.

Bruce Jones (Coronation Street’s Les Battersby) also stars in Dick Whittington, as the hero’s nemesis, King Rat. The supporting cast includes dancers from Nazene Danielle Dance Studio and 30 local young people.

DICK WHITTINGTON is at Novas CUC until January 3. Tickets £12 (£8 concs, £30 family), 0151 708 3529.