Freddie Flintoff Makes Stage Debut in FAT FRIENDS - THE MUSICAL Tour, Kicking Off Today

Former England cricket captain, and star of SKY's League of Their Own, Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff will swap the cricket pitch to tread the boards as he joins an all star cast for the world premiere of Kay Mellor's Fat Friends - the Musical. Freddie will play Kevin Chadwick opposite the previously announced, Jodie Prenger as his fiancéE. Kelly.

Freddie takes to the stage for the first time tonight 7th November 2017 as Fat Friends - the Musical opens at Leeds Grand Theatre. He will then tour with the production to Southampton, Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham, Bradford and Blackpool.

One of the world's most recognised cricket stars, Freddie Flintoff won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2005 after playing a pivotal role in regaining the Ashes from Australia. Since the Lancashire Lad's cricket career ended in 2010, he has forged a career as a much loved presenter and broadcaster. Appearing as a captain on Sky's 'A League of Their Own', being crowned King of the Jungle in the first Australian version of 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!', Freddie has also launched a clothing range 'Flintoff by Jacamo'. Having just filmed a part in Kay Mellor's new ITV series, this role will see Freddie continue to affirm his acting credentials after bowling over the show's creator, Kay Mellor and composer Nicholas Lloyd Webber during auditions!

Freddie Flintoff said: "I am really excited to be starring in Fat Friends - The Musical at Leeds Grand in November and at some other great venues around the UK in 2018. Having had the pleasure of recently working on an episode of Kay's latest TV series, it's great to have the opportunity to work with her again. I loved the TV series and think Fat Friends - The Musical, is going to give people a great night out. I'm really looking forward to it."

Kay Mellor said: "I was introduced to Freddie at one of our TV casting sessions - it was clear to me that he could leave his cricket bat behind, embody a character, and understand the drama. It was a no brainer... he got the part. Then, as we were talking through Fat Friends - The Musical, I wondered if Freddie could sing. I was ecstatic when Nick met him and agreed his voice was perfect for the role. I am thrilled and delighted that Freddie is able to join us for our run at Leeds and part of the tour as well, playing our leading male and fiancee to Kelly played by Jodie Prenger. I can't wait to start working with the super talented cast we've got so far!"

Nicholas Lloyd Webber said: "I am thrilled that Freddie will be joining our stellar cast of Fat Friends - the Musical. He immediately really impressed us in his audition and we are so excited to be working with him on our show. Our starting XI is now nothing short of sensational."

The award winning TV drama has been adapted for the stage by its creator and one of the UK's most prolific writers, Kay Mellor, whose extensive television credits include hit series of Band of Gold, The Chase, The Syndicate, In the Club and whose stage credits include A Passionate Woman. Freddie joins the award winning Jodie Prenger and X-Factor winner Sam Bailey with further casting to be announced.

Produced by Joshua Andrews and Adam Spiegel, with original music and songs composed by Nicholas Lloyd Webber, Fat Friends - The Musical will open at Leeds Grand Theatre in November ahead of an extensive UK tour, visiting Bromley, Newcastle, Hull, Southampton, Sheffield, Southend, Milton Keynes, Norwich, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham, Dartford, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Glasgow, Bradford, Aberdeen and Blackpool.

Fat Friends - the Musical is designed by Bretta Gerecke with choreography by Karen Bruce, musical supervision, orchestrations and arrangements from Simon Lee, sound design by two time Olivier Award winning Gareth Owen and lighting design from Tony Award nominated Nick Richings, Fat Friends - The Musical, sees the nation's favourite group of dieters reunited as this new show bursts on to the stage.

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!

Fat Friends hit television screens in October 2000, following the lives of a group of overweight friends as they struggle with the absurdities of modern dieting. Running for five years on ITV, the show starred Alison Steadman, Gaynor Faye and Lisa Riley and launched the careers of James Corden and Ruth Jones. Written by Kay Mellor, the show was nominated for multiple awards including the BAFTA for Best Drama Series.

For more about the show, visit www.fatfriendsthemusical.com.

IF YOU GO:

Joshua Andrews and Adam Spiegel present
Fat Friends - The Musical
By Kay Mellor
Director: Kay Mellor
Music by Nicholas Lloyd Webber
Musical Supervisor, Orchestrations and Arrangements: Simon Lee Set and Costume Design: Bretta Gerecke
Sound Design by Gareth Owen
Lighting Design by Nick Richings

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Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff is a presenter, broadcaster and cricketing legend. Andrew made his first-class debut for Lancashire in 1995; he made his biggest impact for England in the summer of 2005, when he played a major role in regaining the Ashes from Australia. His contributions won him the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award and in 2006 Andrew was awarded an MBE. He later retired from professional cricket in September 2010 until he joined Lancashire in 2014 which led him to play in NatWest T20 blast squad in May 2014, Australian T20 Big Bash league in December 2014 & January 2015. In early 2016, Flintoff was elected the new President of the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) at the PCA's annual general meeting held in Birmingham. Freddie released his autobiography "Second Innings: My Sporting Life", a celebration of Flintoff's 20 years in cricket in 2015.

In addition to his sporting career, Andrew has developed a strong broadcast career. Featuring in well- known television and radio programmes, including; A League of Their Own (SKY1), Freddie Flintoff versus The World (ITV2), Freddie's World of Sport (BBC Radio 5 Live), Alone In The Wild (Discover), Freddie Flintoff Goes Wild (Discover), The Hidden Side of Sport (BBC), Flintoff: From Lord's To The Ring (SKY1), Flintoff's Ashes Roadshow (BBC Radio 5 Live), Flintoff's Road Through The Rainforest, Flintoff: Lord of the Fries (SKY1), I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! (ITV), Special Forces: Ultimate Hell Week (BBC2), The Project and Big Bash League (Channel 10).

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