Coronation Street's Sue Cleaver and Les Dennis land new role alongside EastEnders favourite

Former Coronation Street stars Sue Cleaver and Les Dennis have landed a new role alongside EastEnders favourite Karen Henthorn in the UK stage adaptation of Victoria Wood's dinnerladies.

Directed by Sean Foley, the production will premiere in January 2027, opening at Manchester Opera House from 26 January to 6 February, before touring theatres across the UK until August 2027.

Dennis is set to star as the dependable maintenance man Stan, while Cleaver will play the sarcastic Jean and Henthorn will star as the sharp-tongued Dolly.

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Brassic's Amy Drake is on board to star as Wood's character, the kind-hearted deputy canteen manager Bren, in the sitcom.

Joining them in the cast are stars including Gemma Dobson, Faye Weerasinghe, Jimmy Fairhurst, Josie Brightwell, Rachel Marwood, and Rachel Pickup.

Speaking about joining the production, Cleaver said: "I am beyond thrilled to be joining the cast of dinnerladies on tour.

"I was honoured to have a regular role on the show itself and to work alongside the legendary Victoria Wood many moons ago so it’s an absolute joy to be returning to play such a fantastic character as feisty Jean!"

"I cannot wait to get out on the road and whip up a storm in the kitchen alongside such a stellar cast."

Dennis said he was "lucky enough" to have known Wood, saying he performed alongside her on the "comedy circuit in the 1970s".

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He added: "I was always such a fan of her - both as a person, and as a comedic voice. Being part of this tour and seeing these beloved northern working-class characters brought to the stage is a perfect way to keep her legacy alive.”

Henthorn said: "This is a proper dream come true for me. I used to love watching dinnerladies as it was such a hilarious and heartwarming sitcom so I cannot wait to bring the snooty snipes from Dolly to life on stage and hear audiences laughing up and down the country.”

Created, written and starring comedy legend Victoria Wood, dinnerladies ran for two acclaimed series, totalling 16 episodes, between 1998 and 2000. Tickets for the stage show are available to purchase here.

Coronation Street airs on weeknights at 8.30pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.

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The new edition of Legends, a 100-page celebration of Dolly Parton's life, is here. Buy Dolly in newsagents or online.