JULIE Wilson Nimmo is as excited as a four year-old putting their Santa note up the chimney for the first time.

Yet, at the same time, the actress is aware that Santa will soon come down that same chimney carrying a bag of nerves, especially for her.

How so? Well, let's explain the excitement part first. The former Miss Hoolie from Balamory is set to star in this year's Tron Theatre panto, Miracle On 34 Parnie Street.

In Johnny McKnight's script, we discover Christmas mayhem is afoot in everyone's favourite department store - T J Confuse - because Santa (played by Johnny) has shown up and he's a little bit different. He's a she.

But of course no-one believes he/she is really Santa.

Julie stars as the store manageress, Doris Hawker.

"She's a cross between Edith Piaf and a Mollie Sugden," she says. "She loves her job, she's full glam. She's also a bit of a cheeky besom with a pole up her backside.

"She doesn't believe in Santa Claus, and she's got a wee boy, played by Gavin Wright, who's been brought up not to believe in myths and legends."

Julie adds, grinning: "There aren't too many women like Doris around now, but I guess you still get them in Frasers."

The actress was "thrilled" to be asked to do the show.

"I love the Tron panto. It's a wee bit more edgier than other pantos," she says.

"I take my boys (Chevy, nine and Benny 13; she's married to Still Game star Greg Hemphill) to all the pantos, but one they love the most is the Tron."

Julie has been appearing in panto since the age of FIVE.

"I did it from five to 16, with East Kilbride Rep," she recalls.

"In my first panto, Simple Simon, I had one line and a bit of a song and I played a Little Villager.

"I told my mum about my part, and she had to make me up a little waistcoat to make me look like a street waif, a little urban tramp. But my mum put sequins on my waistcoat - and I loved her for it."

A tiny star was born in East Kilbride that night.

"Only a mother would do that. And which director would take a sequined waistcoat off a little girl?"

Julie landed her first panto as a grown-up at the Citizens Theatre: "I was the understudy to Beauty and one of the Ugly Sisters, and I had to go on for each of them, but thankfully not in the one show."

Julie reckons panto gave her the thirst for stage comedy.

"It's such a release," she says. "But it can also be terrifying. In Aladdin one year, I had to fly on stage on a harness. I didn't feel I was clipped in properly and there I was looking at the wee guy with the rope down below and he looked like a tiny spot and thinking 'Why did I ever become an actor?'"

The answer was because she loved it. But that doesn't mean she doesn't get nervous before a performance.

"Oh, yes. And it's getting worse," she admits. "I always ask my pal Juliet Cadzow about this if it gets any easier as you get older and she says 'No, darling. It gets worse!'

"I don't get to the point I'm paralysed, but it's all such a contrast with the younger members of cast who can read a book before going on stage."

Julie adds; "When we did Men Should Weep at the Citz, I was amazed Lorraine McIntosh was so relaxed before going on, but I'd be pacing up and down.

"It's not the words - I know them - it's the responsibility that comes with knowing people have paid good money to come and see you. I want to bring an energy to a show, especially panto. I'd hate for someone to come and be disappointed. But with that responsibility comes the worry."

The comedy natural hadn't planned to be in Pantoland this year.

She'd planned to be back in Tinseltown with the family while Greg developed his writing career.

"That's true, but things have taken over," she says. " I got offered the Tron and Greg is currently promoting a short film he wrote for Frankie Boyle, but we'll go back to Los Angeles sometime. The idea isn't over."

She adds, smiling: "We tried to recreate Christmas in America last year, with the turkey dinner, but it just didn't work. And it makes you feel really sad. You miss the telly and all the stuff you moan about.

"And I want my boys to feel the cold and to get the Broons annual," she said.

l Miracle On 34 Parnie Street, Tron Theatre, Nov 28 - Jan 4