Helen Flanagan has said she is 'excited' after it was announced she has landed a major new theatre role that will bring her back to perform in Greater Manchester. The former Coronation Street actress will appear as Michelle in the stage version of the cult classic comedy Rita, Sue & Bob Too! when it embarks on a new nationwide tour in 2027.
Star-Studded Cast and Tour Dates
Bury-born Helen, who is famed for playing Rosie Webster in ITV's Salford-filmed soap, joins singer, actor, presenter and TV personality Jake Quickenden, who will lead the tour as lothario Bob. Further casting is still to be announced.
The production will visit 11 venues between Friday 16 April and Sunday 4 July 2027, starting at St Helens Theatre Royal, before moving on to Harrogate, Northampton, Lincoln, Billingham, Birmingham, Bradford, Southport, Malvern and Stockport, ending at the Liverpool Olympia.
Second Stage Role and Panto Return
This marks Helen's second stage role, after she played Catherine in the 30th anniversary production of Shelagh Stephenson's The Memory of Water at the Bolton Octagon and Liverpool Everyman earlier this year. The news comes ahead of her return to panto this Christmas, starring in Heywood Civic Centre's production of Aladdin this December.
Sharing the news on Instagram, Helen said: "Excited to be going on tour playing Michelle in Rita Sue and Bob Too! [heart emoji] Link on my stories with dates and venues."
Director's Praise and Tour Promise
Director Chantelle Joseph also said in a statement: "I'm thrilled to announce the wonderful Helen Flanagan is joining the cast of Rita, Sue and Bob Too! which is due to embark on its second nationwide tour next spring. I know she will bring real energy and brilliant comic timing to the role of Michelle - the vivacious but long-suffering wife of Bob, who is played once again by Jake Quickenden."
She added: "Rita, Sue and Bob Too! was a huge success for us when we took it on tour in 2025, and I can promise audiences up and down the country are going to love Andrea Dunbar's classic comedy just as much as we do."
