Sam Bailey joins Nicholas Lloyd Webber's Fat Friends The Musical

The hit TV show comes to the stage.

UPDATE: Fat Friends - The Musical will tour again in 2022. Lee Mead will star in the production.

Producers Joshua Andrews and Adam Spiegel have announced that Sam Bailey and Elaine C Smith will star alongside Jodie Prenger in a brand new stage adaptation of Fat Friends - The Musical, written by Kay Mellor and Nicholas Lloyd Webber. The musical opens at Leeds Grand Theatre in 2017 ahead of an extensive UK tour throughout 2018.

Based on the award-winning TV drama of the same name which was written and created by Kay Mellor this new British musical features original music by Nicholas Lloyd Webber, designs by Bretta Gerecke, musical supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Simon Lee, sound design by Gareth Owen and lighting design by Nick Richings. The TV show originally aired on ITV in 2000 and starred James Corden, Alison Steadman and Ruth Jones.

"The 'weight' is over; Packed full of warmth, life and weight loss, this brand new stage show reunites our favourite foodie friends in an original musical bulging with hopes, humour and heart. Join the infamous group of loveable characters as they are put through their Zumba paces at their local branch of Super Slimmer's by the lovelorn Lauren whilst Kelly fantasises about fitting into the wedding dress of her dreams. Fat Friends offers a generous serving of hilarious fun with a sprinkle of romance on top!"

X Factor star Sam Bailey will share the role of Betty with award-winning comedian and actress Elaine C Smith who will play the role in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. They both join the previously announced Jodie Prenger as Kelly Stevenson, winner of BBC's talent search I'd Do Anything with further casting to be announced.

Fat Friends - The Musical will open at Leeds Grand Theatre in November before visiting Bromley, Newcastle, Hull, Southampton, Sheffield, Southend, Milton Keynes, Norwich, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham, Dartford, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Glasgow, Bradford, Aberdeen and Blackpool throughout 2018.

^{Updated: 2 June 2021}