Les Dennis joins the cast of stage musical Hairspray

He will join Olivier Award-winning Michael Ball who returns to his legendary role of Edna Turnblad.

Lizzie Bea will feature in the iconic role of Tracy Turnblad, Marisha Wallace stars as Motormouth, Rita Simons as Velma Von Tussle and Jonny Amies as Link Larkin.

Family Fortunes legend Les Dennis is to join Hairspray the Musical which is set to play a limited season at the magnificent London Coliseum from Monday 21st June – Wednesday 29th September 2021

As a comedian, impressionist, game show host, reality TV star, soap, screen and stage actor, Les Dennis’ showbiz career has spanned 50 years and has taken in everything from his own sketch series The Les Dennis Laughter Show to performing on Russ Abbot’s Madhouse and popular sagas Brookside, Crossroads, and Coronation Street.

Now, he is to return to the West End in the multi-award-winning smash hit musical as Wilbur Turnblad having previously performed the role on tour. He stars alongside Michael Ball, who returns to his legendary, Olivier Award-winning role of Edna Turnblad.

Les replaces Paul Merton in the role of Wilbur. Following the delay to the production because of the pandemic, Paul is unfortunately not able to join the company due to long-standing scheduling commitments.

Not to be… Paul Merton won’t be appearing.

Lizzie Bea will star in the iconic role of Tracy Turnblad. Lizzie’s credits include a UK Tour of Kinky Boots and a performance in the world premiere production of Becoming Nancy in Atlanta (Alliance Theatre).

Acclaimed West End star Marisha Wallace will take the role of Motormouth. Marisha won rave reviews when she took over from Amber Riley in the smash hit Dreamgirls (Savoy Theatre), and also starred in the original West End cast of Waitress (Adelphi Theatre).

Her spine-tingling lockdown recording of a gospel-inspired version of the Strouse and Charnin track ‘Tomorrow’ was originally released in support of struggling theatre professionals – but its message of hope in troubling times proved a tonic for the nation.

Following BBC Radio 2 airplay and the track reaching Number 2 in the Download Charts, Wallace was subsequently signed by Decca where the release of her debut album saw powerhouse performances follow on Strictly Come Dancing and the Royal Variety Performance.

Rita Simons is best known, and indeed best-loved, EastEnders’ Roxy Mitchell while Jonny Amies of Sex Education fame will also join the cast as Velma Von Tussle and Link Larkin respectively.

Liverpool born Les Dennis came to prominence as a comedian in the 1970s after honing his craft on the northern Working Men’s Club circuit and turning pro after a winning set on ATV’s New Faces. He became a stalwart of Saturday Night TV in the 80s and 90s and most famously as the host of Central Television’s Family Fortunes between 1987 and 2002 on ITV.

In recent years Les has enjoyed a busy career as an actor, starring with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and in numerous hit plays and musicals in the West End and on tour.

Despite the pandemic, Les has kept busy, filming a travel series for Channel 5, a guest lead in the Jimmy McGovern drama Moving On and a starring role in the Christmas Special of Birds of a Feather.

Baltimore, 1962. Tracy Turnblad is a big girl with big hair and big dreams. Can she make it on the local TV dance show, win the heart of teen heartthrob Link Larkin and bring everyone together – whatever their colour, size or hairdo? Well if you want a change, you’ve really got to shake things up!

With the original award-winning creative team of director Jack O’Brien and choreographer Jerry Mitchell, and featuring the infectiously feel-good songs ‘Good Morning, Baltimore’, ‘Big, Blonde and Beautiful’ and ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’, this inspirational, fun-loving and fabulously uplifting musical sensation is back and bigger than ever.