Further cast for Fat Friends musical announced including Les Dennis, Sherrie Hewson and Jessica Ellis

Update from the show's producers: "We regret to inform you that due to recent and ongoing Covid-19 related events and their direct and detrimental impact on the production of Fat Friends – the Musical, this show has sadly had to postpone its scheduled UK and Ireland Tour and we are now looking in to rescheduling the production with alternative dates.

"We were very much looking forward to delighting audiences again with this delicious treat of a feel good musical, that addresses such important and timely issues and was such a celebrated hit when it first toured the UK in 2018.

"We would like to thank audiences for their understanding and support and are confident that we will find a way to bring the show back to theatres and sell out audiences again, at a time and in circumstances, that will allow Fat Friends to return, bigger and better than ever!"

The musical version of Fat Friends, penned by the TV series' creator Kay Mellor and with original music by Nicholas Lloyd Webber, has unveiled further casting.

The tour kicks off at Dartford Orchard Theatre on 14 January 2022, before visiting Cardiff New, Leeds Grand, Edinburgh Festival, Dublin Bord Gais Energy Theatre, The Lowry, Salford, Southampton Mayflower, Wolverhampton Grand, Canterbury Marlowe and Newcastle, Norwich and Plymouth Theatre Royals.

Joining the previously revealed Lee Mead will be Sherrie Hewson as Julia, Jessica Ellis as Kelly and Les Dennis as Fergus.

Marc Akinfolarin also joins the cast as Alan with Alex–May Roberts as Val. Further casting is to be announced soon.

Mellor said today: "I am thrilled with the amazing star cast we have assembled for our second outing of Fat Friends The Musical. Lee Mead and Jessica Ellis are fantastic performers and will be wonderful as Kevin and Kelly, and it's great to be welcoming two iconic actors, Sherrie Hewson and Les Dennis who first worked together 40 years ago and are now reunited on stage."

Directed by Mellor, the piece has set and costume design by Bretta Gerecke, choreography by Karen Bruce, sound by Ben Harrison, lighting by Nick Richings with orchestrations, arrangements and musical supervision by Simon Lee.

Casting is by Stephen Crockett CDG for David Grindrod Associates, with additional casting by David Shaw CDG for David Shaw Casting. It is produced by Joshua Andrews and Rollem Productions.