Coronation Street's Faye Brookes taking over from EastEnders' Maisie Smith on Strictly Ballroom tour

She will star alongside Kevin Clifton.

By Stephanie Chase

10 Feb 2023

faye brookes, strictly ballroom the musical

PR Supplied/Danny Kaan

Coronation Street star Faye Brookes is set to take over from EastEnders' Maisie Smith on the Strictly Ballroom The Musical national tour.

Faye will take over the role of Fran on March 27, after Maisie exits the show on March 25.

She will star opposite former Strictly Come Dancing professional Kevin Clifton in the show, which is directed by Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood and based on Baz Luhrmann's romcom of the same name.

Strictly's creative director Jason Gilkison is co-choreographer, along with Craig.

kevin clifton faye brookes, strictly ballroom the musical

PR Supplied/Danny Kaan

"I'm thrilled to be joining the tour of Strictly Ballroom and can't wait to work with Craig Revel Horwood, Kevin Clifton and the hugely talented cast," said Faye.

"I'm so excited to be playing the role of Fran and making it my own. Bring it on!"

Kevin added: "It's very exciting news that Faye is joining the cast of Strictly Ballroom and I'm looking forward to singing and dancing my way across the UK & Ireland with her!"

Craig shared his delight at working with Faye, who he described as "sensational", adding: "I know that she'll be nothing short of FAB-U-LOUS!"

Kevin stars as Scott Hastings in Strictly Ballroom The Musical. Scott is a talented young ballroom dancer – but he's also arrogant and rebellious with it.

His out-of-the-box approach leaves him at loggerheads with the Australian ballroom federation, and he soon finds himself dancing with complete beginner Fran, as they forge a professional and personal connection which challenges convention.

Faye, who made the final of Dancing on Ice in 2021, returned to the stage after leaving her Corrie role as Kate Connor in 2019. Her previous theatre credits include Chicago as Roxie Hart, Shrek as Princess Fiona, and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.

Tickets for the tour are on sale now from strictlyballroomtour.co.uk.

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.