Freddie makes Fat Friends with our Jodie

The ex-Lancashire and England all-rounder-turned-broadcaster has been cast in Fat Friends - The Musical, which comes to the resort next May, playing the fiance of Blackpool’s Jodie Prenger’s character.

Having just filmed a part in Kay Mellor’s new ITV series, Freddie went on to bowl over the show’s creator, Kay Mellor and composer Nicholas Lloyd Webber during auditions.

Freddie said: “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.”

Another star name for future shows at the Winter Gardens’ theatre is Joanne Clifton, who was yesterday announced as not returning to the professional dancers’ rosta for Strictly Come Dancing, heading the cast for Flashdance in October.

Joanne won last year’s series with presenter Ore Oduba, and has since been touring the UK as the lead in Thoroughly Modern Millie.