A NEWPORT youngster who only took up singing and dancing ten months ago will perform alongside John Barrowman in the pantomime Robin Hood this Christmas.

Annaise Abraham, eight, of Castleton, will perform in 36 shows at Cardiff’s New Theatre from December 12 to January 17.

The Rougemont school pupil was one of just ten girls picked out of 100 to take part in the Christmas show.

Annaise started acting, tap and ballet lessons with the Marshfield-based Lorri Guppy School of Dance in January following in the footsteps of her mother Joanne, 33, who danced with the school for ten years.

Since then her father Annis, 43, said the previously shy youngster has really come out her shell and already has three performances at the Wales Millennium Centre under her belt when she was part of the children’s chorus in Never Forget in October.

Mr Abraham said seeing his daughter perform on stage brings tears to his eyes.

He said: “I am really proud, I was over the moon she was chosen. It’s made a huge difference to her.”