A bunch of magnificent likely lads are ready to play the dame game.

They are the finalists for our one-night-only Christmas caper, Dame Academy.

The feisty, frock-wearing fellas will compete for the title Dame of Brighton 2004 at the Theatre Royal.

The Argus, 3Sixty magazine and the Theatre Royal appealed for dads, granddads, brothers and uncles to enter our own version of fame school and make a pantomime of themselves in a good cause.

And plenty of you were ready to take up the cheeky challenge.

Our finalists are now plumping up their petticoats and perfecting their pouts for the big night next Wednesday.

Beefy builder Dicky Smith will make his dame debut as Trixie Bell.

Apart from a karaoke turn as Robbie Williams, Dicky, of Broomfield Avenue, Worthing, hasn't trodden the boards since featuring in school productions of Grease and Oliver.

But he loves to make people laugh and will be throwing himself into his new role.

A novice at dressing up, Dicky, 33, will be relying on costume and make-up tips from his dad, Derek, who is a big fan of amateur dramatics.

Dicky said: "I'm looking forward to it. I'm always up for a laugh. That's why I'm doing it - good fun."

John Townend is a showman but now fancies his chances as a showgirl by the name of dame Betty Swollocks.

He has been a cabaret artist for five years, entertaining audiences with a combination of song and wit.

He will tackle anything from Andrew Lloyd Webber songs to karaoke classics like I Will Survive and enjoys the limelight at anything from hen parties to panto.

John, of Whitehawk Road, Brighton, said: "I would be a good dame because of my loveable image and my love of children."

Vincent Durham is always game for a laugh - as his picture shows.

He donned a frock for a talent show and got the taste for entertaining.

Vincent, of Sussex Terrace, Brighton, will make his entrance into the Dame Academy as Patti O Doors - vital statistics 42-42-42.

He said: "My dame credentials are so-so but I did once carry the bags for that famous dame Colin Devereaux."

David Abbott has been with the Burgess Hill Theatre Club for 13 years and has played the dame in Cinderella, Aladdin and Beauty And The Beast.

David, 41, of Adelaide Close, Worthing, works for West Sussex County Council social and caring services.

He said: "Dressing up in silly clothes, wigs, hats, make-up, falling over and getting the adults and children to shout and sing along is the best stress-buster. Luckily my wife understands!"

Leon Craig will be transformed into the loveable diva Peggy.

Leon's alter ego is an all-round joy at Christmas. She sings, dances, is witty and very cheeky.

Leon, from Guildford, has plenty of experience to draw on. He has played Dame Flora Fatty in The Snow Queen and a panto dame at the London Comedy Store hosted by Jonathan Ross.

He said: "Peggy is very high-pitched and a complete diva. She can sing any diva under the table so watch out Shirley Bassey, hee hee!"

Neil Border made his dame debut in 1999 and has never looked back.

After giving his all as Sinbad's mother, he went on to play Martha Piper in Mother Goose and Queen Guinevere in King Arthur.

Neil, 36, of Round Hill Crescent, Brighton, is a senior planning officer with West Sussex County Council but loves to dabble in panto.

He is now in rehearsals for amateur roles playing Dilly Dankey in The Frog Prince and an ugly sister in Cinderella's Adventures.

He said: "I look forward to playing a panto dame, complete with attitude, posture, wit, modesty, style and plenty of bold, buxom audience participation."

JA Dixon is a man of many personas, changing his image at the drop of a hat. For our fame school he will be appearing as Widow Hanky Twankey (or possibly Nurse Cookie).

JA, from Letchworth Garden City, Herts, said: "Dads want me to help with the decorating, Mums are jealous of me for my celebrated plum duff recipe and children are often baffled by me - wearing odd socks that is."

Our incomparable comperes for Dame Academy will be professional dame Bobby Bennett, Widow Twankey in Aladdin at the Theatre Royal, and his co-star JoAnne Good.

Actor Kevin Kennedy - recently retired from playing Curly Watts in Coronation Street - and dame Maisie Trolette will be leading the panel of judges looking for dame appeal.

The judges will whittle our dame hopefuls down to the final two - and then the audience will decide who skips away with the coveted title.

As well as being crowned Dame of Brighton 2004, the winner will also win a fantastic holiday supplied by World Hoppers.

The night will raise money for the Argus Appeal, which supports good causes across Sussex.

Everyone has given their services free for the evening. Masquerade, of Preston Road, Brighton, has supplied costumes and the winner's bouquet will come from Fabulous Flowers of Lewes Road, Brighton.

Tickets for the show cost £5 and are available from the Theatre Royal box office on 01273 328488.