Scarlett Moffatt and Empire panto stars visit Sunderland Royal Hospital children's wards

Scarlett Moffatt has made Christmas wishes come true for young patients at Sunderland Royal Hospital – oh yes she has!
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The Gogglebox star is playing the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at Sunderland Empire and visited the hospital’s children’s wards along with members of the cast.

The special guests handed out sweets and books as well as posing for pictures with patients and staff.

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Scarlett, who is appearing in her first panto, was delighted at the chance to visit the youngsters: “It is really nice to come here,” she said.

Scarlett Moffatt as the Fairy Godmother and Jon Moses as Prince Charming meet two-year-old Lucy LeeScarlett Moffatt as the Fairy Godmother and Jon Moses as Prince Charming meet two-year-old Lucy Lee
Scarlett Moffatt as the Fairy Godmother and Jon Moses as Prince Charming meet two-year-old Lucy Lee

“Unfortunately, these little ones can’t make it in to the theatre to see the panto, so it’s nice to be able to bring the panto to them, and a little bit of Christmas spirit.”

She was delighted by the effort staff had put into making the wards as festive as possible.

“All the staff are amazing,” she said.

“It is like Santa’s grotto and it’s nice to be a part of it. I love doing stuff like this.”

Scarlett Moffatt poses for a selfie with Sian Marshall, 11, and mum JodiScarlett Moffatt poses for a selfie with Sian Marshall, 11, and mum Jodi
Scarlett Moffatt poses for a selfie with Sian Marshall, 11, and mum Jodi
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The visit was perfectly timed for nine-year-old Dubmire Academy pupil Dainton Glave: “He was supposed to go to see the panto with school today, but couldn’t,” said mum Kirsty.

“He wasn’t very happy when he woke up but he’s better now.”

“I didn’t know the visit was happening. I have just come back from buying crisps to find them all here.”

Prince Charming star Jon Moses is himself a dad-of-two, and admitted the visit had made him quite emotional: “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a bit of a sniffle,” he said.

Scarlett Moffatt meets five-year-old Daniel YoungScarlett Moffatt meets five-year-old Daniel Young
Scarlett Moffatt meets five-year-old Daniel Young

“To come down here was really important to me, to give the kids a little bit of joy.

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“The children are all so full of spirit and that what we want to do, to give them a little bit of Christmas spirit.”

Eleven-year-old Sian Marshall was almost excited to meet Scarlett as mum Jodi.

“We have been following Scarlett on Instagram,” said Jodi, from Hebburn. “It has made my day.”

North East-born Ugly Sister Dan Cunningham said: “I saw my first panto at the Empire when I was three years-old.

“I have always loved the Empire. It’s great to be here.”