KAY Mellor’s Fat Friends The Musical is heading for Bradford next year.

West End star Lee Mead, winner of BBC1’s Any Dream Will Do, heads the cast when the show runs at the Alhambra from May 30 to June 4, 2022. With original music by Nicholas Lloyd Webber, the show is based on the Kay Mellor’s TV comedy drama Fat Friends, that starred James Corden and Ruth Jones.

Fat Friends The musical reunites the foodie friends at their local slimming club, where Kelly fantasises about fitting into the wedding dress of her dreams.

Said Kay Mellor: “Issues of body image and online trolling are more pertinent today than ever, and will resonate with people everywhere. Despite this, using song, dance and humour I can guarantee that audiences will leave the show with a smile on their face and feeling better about themselves - something we all need right now.”

Since winning BBC One's Any Dream Will Do, Lee Mead has gone on to star in the West End in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Legally Blonde and Wicked before joining TV's Casualty and Holby City as Lofty.

“I am so excited to be returning to musical theatre and I’m so thrilled to be starring in Fat Friends The Musical," said Lee. "I saw the show when it first ran and absolutely loved it, so I can’t wait to now play the lovelorn vicar, Paul. I’m so looking forward to performing live again to wonderful audiences around the country and working with the incredible and iconic Kay Mellor.”

* For tickets call (01274) 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk