THERE are plenty of familiar faces in the cast for the Calendar Girls the Musical production. 

Gary Barlow and Tim Firth’s musical comedy, based on the true story, the film and the award-winning play by Tim Firth, will be in Manchester  from October 20 until November 10 and at the Liverpool Empire from November 27 to December 1.  

The new tour will star novelist and television presenter Fern Britton, returning to the stage for the first time in 30 years, as Marie, Lorraine Bruce (from Kay Mellor’s The Syndicate) as Cora, Ruth Madoc (Hi-De-Hi, Little Britain and Gypsy) as Jessie and former Coronation Street star Denise Welch as Celia.

West End stars Anna-Jane Casey will play Annie, Sara Crowe as Ruth and Rebecca Storm as Chris. 

The critically acclaimed and award-winning production played a six-month London season at the Phoenix Theatre last year. 

Before it played sold-out seasons in Leeds and Salford.

Tim Firth said: "To be given a chance to revisit Calendar Girls The Musical is a unique opportunity."

Gary Barlow added: "What a phenomenal new cast we have. Tim and I sat in - and indeed played - on the auditions and have been so lucky to have put together such talented ladies.”

Calendar Girls the Musical is inspired by the true story of a group of ladies, who decided to appear nude for a Women’s Institute calendar in order to raise funds. 

The group hoped to buy a settee for their local hospital, in memory of one of their husbands, and have to date raised almost £5million for Bloodwise.

This musical comedy shows life in their Yorkshire village, how it happened, the effect on husbands, sons and daughters, and how a group of ordinary ladies achieved something extraordinary.

Bloodwise, the UK’s specialist blood cancer charity, will continue to receive monies from this production.