An emotional Michelle Heaton has revealed she won’t be home until Christmas Day after signing up for panto.
The Liberty X singer shared a lengthy post to Instagram on Saturday night saying she was marking her last night at home with her kids until December 25.
Michelle, 38, said it wasn’t an easy decision for her to make, and she always “weighs up the pros and cons” of a job before she takes it.
But ultimately, her panto appearance is a way to provide for her family and do something she loves at the same time.
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Alongside a beautiful picture of herself with husband Hugh Hanley and their children Faith, five, and AJ, three, she jokingly warned: “ALERT: long post don’t read if operating heavy machinery.”
Michelle continued: “What a week.. 2 birthdays 2 party’s 2 red carpet events lots of work meals out and far far too much cake .. my jeans are bursting along with my heart, coz 2nite I fall asleep with these beautiful people around me in my home for the last time until Christmas Day.
“That’s the awful thing with my choice of career .. I am away from my family a lot. But they know I come back .. and they know why I do it.. I do it because I love it, and I get to provide for my family.
“It’s not an easy choice to make to leave these faces.. I always weigh up the pros and con’s before taking any job on.
“We don’t have live in nannies or childcare with family .. we only have ourselves, wonderful friends who help, but more importantly I have a supporting husband who will do anything to support me & make my dreams come true, as I do his (sic).”
Michelle explained that she’s booked to play The Wicked Queen for the next five weeks in Newcastle’s Christmas panto, Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs.
“[I get to] perform in front of a home crowd which makes me very proud,” she said.
The popstar, who has had a double mastectomy and hysterectomy, added: “The fact I still get to be on stage now and again after all these years and after all the health issues that’s been, gone and present… is a blessing.”
She signed off by saying: “Right, okay, so I may have had a few wines 2nite & blabbed on too long.. so I will leave you with this .. I love my family & I can’t bear to leave them .. but I want to provide for my family and I get to provide by doing what I love so I’m damned if I’m gonna give up fighting for it it anytime soon!
“Night all .. see you in pantoland .. oh yes you will.”
Michelle was inundated with support and love from her followers, including one who said: “Awwww this is lovely. Thank you for giving an honest account but also for showing that it is still possible to follow your dreams and be a mummy, with the right support. You totally rock!”
Meanwhile, hubby Hugh said: “Love you baby and the kids are pumped to see you… oh yes we are!!”
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Michelle can be seen as The Wicked Queen in Snow White at the Tyne Theatre Opera House.
The panto kicks off Friday, 8 December and runs until New Year’s Eve.