THE first series of The Syndicate - Kay Mellor’s take on the lottery ticket dream - centred on a group of supermarket workers whose lucky numbers come in.

The hit BBC show aired in 2002, starring Timothy Spall, Joanna Page and Harry Potter star, Otley actor Matthew Lewis. It was followed by three more series, each about a different lottery syndicate. The fourth and final series, about a group of kennel workers whose winning ticket is stolen, was shot in Otley and Bradford, under Covid restrictions, and aired in 2021.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The cast of the first series of The Syndicate The cast of the first series of The Syndicate (Image: BBC)

Now The Syndicate is going on a UK theatre tour, heading for the Alhambra. Kay’s daughter, actor Gaynor Faye, makes her directorial debut, bringing her mother’s stage adaptation to life in this moving comedy drama.

The Syndicate is the story of five supermarket workers who win the lottery just as their jobs and livelihoods are under threat. Will a share of the jackpot make their dreams come true, or their nightmares a reality? What is for certain is that the win of a lifetime will change the lives, loves and friendships of these syndicate members forever.

The final play created by the late, great Kay Mellor, The Syndicate follows her TV to stage adaptations of Fat Friends -The Musical and Band of Gold, also collaborations between Kay’s company Rollem and Josh Andrews Productions.

Says Gaynor: “It is extremely special to be a part of this new theatrical version of The Syndicate and one which my mum was really excited to stage. Having acted in the last series on TV, when she asked me to assist her on directing the show, I jumped at it. Now it has become my first solo directing role and whilst I am so sad not to be doing it with her, I am also very proud and excited to bring Mum’s vision to the fore.

“Josh Andrews is a fantastic producer, who I’ve worked with on several shows, and with a fabulous creative team and, of course, an incredible script, we’re going to reach for the stars and make Mum’s wish come true - bringing another Kay Mellor classic to theatres across the country.”

Leeds-born writer Kay, whose other TV hits include In the Club, Between the Sheets, Girlfriends and Love, Lies and Records, died last year, aged 71. Faye, whose TV work includes Coronation Street, Emmerdale and The Chase, which she co-wrote with Kay, says bringing The Syndicate to the stage “honours the wish” of her mother - “and that excitement is wonderful, you know, real sense of pride.”

She adds: “People want to see what people do with that money. I think my mom really cleverly showed all the different people affected by it, and some for the good and some for the not so good. And that’s what this play does really well. It shows us how winning the lottery can completely transform your life and give you something to be able to stand up for yourself...and it also can also give you so much money that you tie yourself in knots with it and lose complete focus and lose yourself.”

* The Syndicate will be at the Leeds Grand Theatre from April 18-28 and the Alhambra from July 15-20. Casting will be announced soon.