FOR the stars of pantomime, Christmas and New Year isn't exactly a time to take it easy.

It's no different for Amy Diamond, who plays Alice in the Regent Theatre's production of Dick Whittington.

In fact it's especially busy for the actress and model, whose boyfriend, ex-Hollyoaks actor Chris Fountain, is also in pantomime.

He's performing in Aladdin at the Opera House in Manchester and, as Amy says, their hectic schedules present little opportunity for the couple to see each other.

"I will have New Year's Day off and me and Chris might meet up then," says Amy, who has been in a relationship with Chris for a year and a half.

"But we're both so busy that it's difficult."

The 22-year-old from Widnes in Cheshire has always wanted to perform. She began singing and dancing as a little girl and moved to London – rather like the central character in the Regent's panto – to seek fame and fortune.

As a model she's done campaigns for Ann Summers and Lynx and last year enjoyed a stint in a Las Vegas show.

"I moved to London when I was 18 and found a job on the perfume counter in Harrods to pay the rent," she says. "Someone approached me about becoming a model and it was a top agency.

"It's just a great way to break into the industry and I've met lots of amazing people as a result of it.

"Modelling works really nicely alongside my singing and acting. I don't get recognised myself as such because when I'm away from work I walk around with no make-up on. I'm just me.

"Obviously when I'm with Chris, he does get recognised a lot but we are quite a low-key couple. You're more likely to find us in McDonald's than anywhere else.

"We were on holiday in America this year and it was nice to spend two weeks together without being interrupted, but still it's good to see him with people because he's so gracious."

Now she's come to Stoke-on-Trent, Amy is full of praise for her home-grown co-star Jonathan Wilkes, now in his fifth seasonal show at the Regent.

For the first two weeks of the pantomime her character's father was played by Robbie Williams's dad, Pete Conway. The Sentinel's assistant editor, Martin Tideswell, has now taken over the role.

"The audiences really warm to Jonathan because they're so familiar with him now," she says. "He's brought a really talented cast together and only works with the best.

"My character Alice is a bit of a goody-goody and a nice girl, but as soon as she sees Dick Whittington she immediately falls in love with him.

"Hopefully we're living up to the standards of the previous shows. There's some great comedy, singing and dancing."

And with extended family living locally, Amy is sure at least of a few friendly faces in the audience.

"My brother-in-law and his family live in Leek and Hanley so they're all going to come and see me," she says.

"People from this area are so friendly and the theatre staff and cast are so welcoming, it's been easy to fit in.

"I'm going to enjoy a little break after the panto is over and probably spend a couple of days with Chris.

"Then I'll start the audition process all over again in January. I'm not sure what this year will bring but in a way that's really exciting and what a performer's life is all about."

Dick Whittington is at the Regent Theatre in Hanley until Sunday, January 10, 2010. Telephone the box office on 0844 871 7627 for information.