Les Dennis to star in stage adaptation of Dinner Ladies

Les Dennis has been cast as Stan in a stage adaptation of Victoria Wood's classic sitcom Dinner Ladies. The production, which has been approved by Wood's estate, will tour the UK and begins with a two-week run in Manchester, the city where the original series was set.

Dennis, known for Family Fortunes and a musical version of Only Fools and Horses, said he was drawn to the project because of his long connection with Wood. The two first met in 1973 on the talent show New Faces, where they both lost. "That bonded us together," Dennis recalled. He later lived near Wood in Highgate and remained friends with her until her death in 2016.

The actor emphasised the importance of the estate's approval. "We want to know that the family know it's in good hands," he said. "The fact that they are approving it is just a blessing."

Dennis will play Stan, the male canteen worker originally portrayed by Duncan Preston, a friend of Dennis. The stage show is adapted from the television series, which attracted up to 15 million viewers at its peak. Dennis believes the show's appeal is timeless. "It's about these women, their love lives, their home lives," he said. "It's beautifully warm."

The production is expected to draw both original fans and new audiences. Dennis said he hopes families who loved the TV show will bring their children. "Come and see it with me," he said, describing the play as "a warm hug and a Victoria Wood hug."

Dennis, now 72, will begin rehearsals ahead of the Manchester opening. He said he is excited to perform in front of a northern audience, noting that Wood's writing was ahead of its time in portraying northern life. "We had sitcoms like Rising Damp, which was set in the south," he said. "But nothing necessarily northern."

The stage adaptation is the latest in a series of revivals of Wood's work, which also includes Acorn Antiques and Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV. Dennis said the show will bring "gales of laughter and real heart."