LEEDS’ own writer, director and producer Kay Mellor has made her hit TV series Fat Friends into a brand new stage musical – and it is set to premiere in the very city from where the story shot to fame.

Fat Friends - The Musical - written and directed by multi award-winning Kay Mellor with a score of original music by Nicholas Lloyd Webber and a lead role for Jodie Prenger - will stage its world premiere at Leeds Grand Theatre from Tuesday November 7th 2017 for four weeks only.

Kay Mellor says: “I’m absolutely thrilled for the premier of Fat Friends The Musical to be held at Leeds Grand Theatre. Not only is Leeds my home town, but it’s where I set the television series and the stage musical. I love Leeds with a passion and the people of Leeds inspire me every day, so it fills me with pride to know that the musical will be seen by the people of Leeds first.”

The brand new production sees the nation’s favourite group of dieters reunited at the Headingley branch of Super Slimmers. The foodie friends are put through their Zumba paces by the lovelorn Lauren; Kelly is desperate to get into her dream wedding dress; Alan wants his wife back; Betty wants to win Slimmer of the Year and Super Slimmer founder, Julia Fleshman, wants the world to buy into her business.

“About once or twice a week I get asked if Fat Friends is going to come back on the television,” continues Kay.

“I’m always flattered that people loved the characters and premise and I thought there could be a musical using those characters and looking at weight - it’s such a topical subject matter, more so today than ever.”

Fat Friends hit British television screens in October 2000 and followed the lives of a group of overweight friends as they struggled with the absurdities of modern dieting. Running for five years on ITV, the show starred Alison Steadman, Sheridan Smith and Lisa Riley and launched the careers of James Corden and Ruth Jones.

Jodie Prenger said: “I am over the moon to be starring in Kay Mellor’s Fat Friends - The Musical! I have been a huge fan of Kay’s for so long - she is the most brilliant writer, director and just one hell of a lovely lady that you could ever wish to work with. I loved Fat Friends when it was such a successful TV series so to see some of those characters come to life on stage is a joy, and I am honoured to be playing the wonderful Kelly. And what a thrill for us to premiere the show at the Leeds Grand. Knowing all the creatives involved, I am sure it’s going to be a big (fat?) hit there and around the country! I can’t wait.”

Nicholas Lloyd Webber added: ‘It’s been such a treat to collaborate with Kay on Fat Friends. The musical world of the show is bright, fresh, catchy and poppy, with tenderness as well as music to move to. My hope is that I’ve written some songs that are at once accessible yet original with as big a heart as the wonderful piece Kay has written.”

Kay added: “I’m blessed to have the opportunity to work with Nick Lloyd Webber who absolutely gets my characters and world. The musical is funny and sad with a big story and some meaty and memorable songs; together I think we’ve created something rather unique.”

Fat Friends – The Musical makes its premiere at Leeds Grand Theatre from Tuesday, November 7 to Saturday, December 2. Tickets went on sale on January 25 priced from £21 to £50. Book online at www.leedsgrandtheatre.com or call Box Office on 0844 848 2700