KAY Mellor makes a triumphant return to the Mayflower stage next week with a star-studded cast in the world premiere stage production of her multi-award winning TV series Band of Gold.

Band of Gold was the ground-breaking crime drama that captivated over 15 million viewers each week when it aired on ITV in the 90s and revolved around a group of women – Carol, Rose, Anita and Gina. Heart-breaking and humorous, Band of Gold tells the story of how a young mother is drawn into the notorious red-light district. and finds there's a killer on the loose.

The three iconic female lead roles that were played by Geraldine James, Barbara Dickson and Cathy Tyson in the TV series, will be played on stage by Gaynor Faye (Emmerdale, Coronation Street, Playing the Field, Calendar Girls), Laurie Brett (EastEnders, Waterloo Road, Les Misérables) and star newcomer Emma Osman.

They will be joined by Shayne Ward (Coronation Street, Rock of Ages, X Factor winner), Kieron Richardson (Hollyoaks, Heartbeat), Sacha Parkinson (Mr. Selfridge, The Mill) and Andrew Dunn (Dinnerladies, Coronation Street).

Kay's last foray into theatre, with Fat Friends the Musical starring Freddie Flintoff, was a huge success when it toured to Southampton two years ago.

Speaking ahead of the latest visit, she told the Daily Echo: "I wanted to do this mainly because, of all my shows, someone comes up to me every day, and asks if I can write more Band of Gold! I always say no sorry, not for TV, but it got me thinking. In some ways it's more relevant than ever, there are definitely women and men who don't know where the next meal is coming from and end up getting into sex work. Looking back at the TV series, I think I would have done it differently if I was writing it now, so it's given me the opportunity to look at it again."

Daughter Gaynor Faye, who left her long-running part in Emmerdale to take the role of Rose, added: "It’s got the humour, it’s got the whodunnit, it’s got the grittiness, it’s got the romance, there’s the camaraderie, and there’s music as well."

The show is based on the first TV series of three condensed into two hours – and for those who remember the original there will still be surprises, including the identity of the killer.

Tickets for Band of Gold, from Tuesday to Saturday, from 023 8071 1811 or mayflower.org.uk