Family Christmas for Nativity 3 star Ben

But Ben Wilby's mother is taking on the challenge and declaring it 'open house' on Christmas Day as she expects an influx of friends and family.

The 12-year-old, of Cannock, has reprised the role of Bob in festive blockbuster Nativity 3 alongside names such as Martin Clunes and Catherine Tate.

The film is proving a hit at cinemas, entering the nationwide top 10 at number three and taking £1.8 million in its first weekend.

So Christmas will always be a special time of year for the Wilby family – and they are determined to make the most of it.

Ben's mother Jill is preparing to cater for at least 10 people, but says she would not have it any other way.

The family are 'cherishing' life after doctors once feared Ben might never walk or talk again following life-saving brain surgery.

As a two-year-old he underwent a nine-hour operation because the plates in his skull had not fused correctly after birth. His family were told he may not even survive the procedure to relieve pressure on his brain caused by the condition, called Craniosynestosis.

But now, 10 years on from the operation at Birmingham Children's Hospital, he has gone from strength to strength.

He studies at the Sylvia Young Theatre School in London during the week and returns home at weekends. But he is looking forward to heading back to Cannock for Christmas on December 17.

He said: "I can't wait to spend some time with my family, it's my favourite time of year.

"It's a special time of year and I'm really pleased the film is doing so well."

Ben has three sisters who will all be there to celebrate the big day. There will be Alex, 22, and Charlotte, 26, who will take daughters Amy, six, and Isla, two, while Kirsty, 28, will be joined by Grace,nine, and Darcy, two. Mrs Wilby has the task of cooking for them all and is already stocking up.

She said: "Ben being in Nativity makes Christmas extra special. The film is about the true meaning of Christmas, and will be part of a lot of people's Christmas celebrations when they go to the cinema to see it.

"It means we have a lot to live up to at home, but it will be an open house and we will have a great time."

Ben beat 500 other hopefuls to the role in the first Nativity, turning up for the auditions wearing fake tan, fluorescent green hot pants, matching leg warmers and a T-shirt emblazoned with the words 'born to dance'. He said making this latest film was 'great fun', and he got on well with his co-stars during the month on set.

He had already met Catherine Tate as her daughter also goes to the Sylvia Young school. "It was such a laugh working with her, she was brilliant," he said.

"Martin Clunes was amazing as well. I really enjoyed filming and every day was great."

Ben had hoped to meet up with Dr Stephen Dover, the surgeon who carried out the operation on him, earlier in the summer, but his hectic filming schedule got in the way.

Music fans will also have seen Ben pop up at the end of the latest Kasabian video Stevie, when he leads a gang of children approaching the main character in woodland.

Jill added: "The last 10 years since Ben's operation have been amazing and we are so proud of him.

"We were told he might never walk or talk, but he has gone on to star in these films and has lots of other things lined up.

"He really is a miracle and we are cherishing every day."