A Question of Taste: Panto star Holly Ryan

Holly Ryan is from Waterford and is playing Belle in the Cork Opera House panto, Beauty and the Beast. She is 18 and living in Cork (and away from home) for the first time to work on the production.

Best recent book: Room by Emma Donoghue.

Best recent film: Definitely Inside Out. Im obsessed with it. Completely and utterly obsessed!

Best gig you’ve seen recently: Kodaline in June. I absolutely loved it because I was surrounded by my friends and I really just love their music! But also because the lead singer Stephen is a stud!

What formats do you access music? I usually use YouTube because it’s free and has every song you’ll ever want to hear.

Best piece of music you’ve been listening to lately (new or old): I’m a softie for the oldies like Bon Jovi, Thin Lizzy, Bagatelle, and Queen. True classics!

Pick one piece of music that really moved you: I was completely moved by the music of Michael Collins the musical when I saw it in Waterford which was written and directed by the late Bryan Flynn, who also directed pantos in Cork Opera House for many years. I honestly never experienced anything more powerful in my life. It was the first and only musical to ever make me cry.

Tell us about your TV viewing: I don’t watch TV too much, however I’m still and always will be a Friends addict. I also love Game Of Thrones and Prison Break. Back in the day I was obsessed with Saved by the Bell.

Radio listening: Usually I tune into WLR FM or Beat at home in Waterford but in Cork I enjoy listening to Red FM.

Name three of your entertainment heroes: Number one is definitely Freddy Mercury. He is my idol. He definitely is the true king for me. He is one of the best singers to ever grace the planet.

Secondly, I love Johnny Depp. He is an amazing actor but I also have a huge crush on him.

Lastly, my favourite West End star is Rachel Tucker. She is Irish and she is my favourite Elphaba [from Wicked] of all time. I met her in 2014 and she was also so down to earth which is what I really love about her.

Your best celebrity encounter: I got the opportunity to sing solo with Gary Barlow in the O2 in Dublin during his tour in 2014. It was incredible! I met him backstage before I sang very briefly but he kissed my cheek and that’s all I needed! And for all of those who were wondering, he is just as beautiful in real life as he is on the telly.

Most expensive item of clothing you’ve ever bought: Im odd when it comes to buying clothes I don’t ever have the heart to spend lots of money so I usually stick with Penneys.

You are queen for a day — what’s your first decree? I would definitely have to make all the chocolate in the world free because everyone needs chocolate in their lives!