Maisie Smith and Eastenders co-stars to watch panto in Southend

Former Chalkwell Junior School pupil Maisie, from Westcliff, filmed her final scenes for EastEnders this month.

But she had a reunion with Billericay actor Charlie, Zack Morris, Milly Zero and Natalie Cassidy as they watched colleague Brian Conelly in the performance of Cinderella.

The show has been getting raved reviews ever since it launched earlier this month and the group has also given it the thumbs up.

Brian is starring as Buttons in the production and his co-stars enjoyed a catch-up with him after the show.

Maisie had a reunion with Charlie, Zack Morris, Milly Zero and Natalie Cassidy. Picture: Milly Zero/Instagram

Sharing pictures on Instagram Milly, who plays Dotty Cotton, said: “So enjoyed watching THE panto king do his thing today - you had us in stitches. We love ya!”

Brian, who plays Rocky in EastEnders, responded wishing Milly and her family a happy new year.

The visit to the panto was a chance for the group to catch up after Maisie left the show earlier this month.

Maisie, 20, who plays Tiffany Butcher, joined the programme in 2008 at the age of six.

Her character, who is the daughter of Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) and Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen), left the programme in 2014 before reprising her role in the soap in 2017.

It is not the first time during the panto run a famous face has visited. 

Read more >> Stacey Solomon takes kids to Southend theatre to enjoy pantomime

Stacey Solomon was among the audience at the Cliffs Pavilion earlier in December. 

She said her son Zachary was “cracking up” throughout the show, while son Rex was “mesmerised”.

Performances of Cinderella at the Cliffs will continue over the festive period until January 2.

Tickets are still available for a number of shows, with prices starting from £23.50.

Visit southendtheatres.org.uk for more information.