Try telling your boss you’re late because your van was stuck behind a camel called Elvis being led down Ipswich high street by magician Paul Daniels dressed as an oriental emperor.

Ipswich Star: The launch of Aladdin at the Regent in Ipswich.The launch of Aladdin at the Regent in Ipswich.

The nine-year-old, from Oasis Camel Park, in Linstead, near Halesworth, lent the cast a hoove as they surprised shoppers.

Everything ground to a halt as Slave of the Ring, the lovely Debbie McGee; Genie of the Lamp, X-Factor’s Andy Abraham; Princess Jasmine, Disney Channel presenter and West End star Samantha Dorrance; Abanazar, Chris Stanton from CBBC’s M.I High; Wishee Washee, Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Andrew Fleming; and Aladdin, Ciaran Joyce from CBBC’s Tracy Beaker, handed out flyers and posed for photos.

Enchanted Entertainment returns to the Regent from December 19-January 3. Daniels and McGee are confident audiences will like this show, a lot.

“This is what we normally wear at home... although Debbie’s wearing mine,” the magician jokes.

“I hear all these interviews, ‘oh it’s so exhausting’, well what are they doing? I’m just having fun all the time,” he adds, before letting me on a secret.

“Those people who sit in the audience, they think we’re doing it for them...”

Ipswich Star: Paul Daniels with his wife Debbie McGeePaul Daniels with his wife Debbie McGee

“We’re not,” says McGee. “We’re doing it for us. It’s like going to a party.”

Daniels doesn’t know what tricks he will be performing until he’s read the script. He prefers to shape his illusions to the plot. They know what’d they’d ask the Genie for though.

“Obviously everybody coming to see the show is our first wish...,” McGee smiles.

Abraham has already used his first wish - making sure the sun was shining during their visit.

“I’m looking forward to working with this cast, I’m sure it’s going to be a right laugh and that the people of Ipswich will enjoy themselves.”

As for who was easier to work with, Simon Cowell or the Emperor?

“I’d probably say the Emperor, less stress,” he laughs.

Torrance, had no trouble with what she’d wish for.

“First would be to be able eat as much food as I wanted and never put on any weight that’d be nice,” she laughs, “because I love food. The second is I’m taking my driving test in a couple of weeks, to just be able to pass that first time would be nice. Third wish? That everyone has a lovely Christmas.”

Producer Guy Pascall said they have a dazzling show lined up this Christmas.

“Audiences are in for a visual treat with a flying carpet, a magic lamp, a wizard and the most outrageous Genie. There’s also the love story between Aladdin and Princess Jasmine, as well as side-splitting comedy routines, high-octane dance numbers and the most talented panto cast in the country”.