Prostitute drama Band of Gold to go on tour for the first time - and it will open in Nottingham with these stars

A stage adaptation of ITV drama Band of Gold is going on tour for the very first time and it will open in Nottingham.

Kay Mellor's multi award-winning ITV series, about a group of women battling to survive whilst working in a notorious red-light district, pulled in up to 15 million viewers when it was screened in the 1990s. After one of them is murdered, the prostitutes help try to track down the killer before they strike again.

The original cast of Band of Gold first broadcast on ITV in 1995 included Nottingham's Samantha Morton (front right), alongside Barbara Dickson (back left), Cathy Tyson (back right) and Geraldine James (Granada Television)

It was the first big break for Nottingham actress Samantha Morton who starred alongside Geraldine James, Cathy Tyson and Barbara Dickson, from the opening episode in March 1995.

But it will be a new cast taking to the stage for this theatre production and soap fans will likely recognise them all.

They are:

Sacha Parkinson (Mr Selfridge, The Mill, Coronation Street).

Gaynor Faye (PA)

Gaynor Faye, (Emmerdale, Playing the Field, Calender Girls)

Laurie Brett played Jane Beale in EastEnders. Pictured with co-star Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale) (Shared Content Unit)

Laurie Brett, (EastEnders, Waterloo Road, Les Miserables)

Kieron Richardson (ITV)

Kieron Richardson, (Hollyoaks, Heatbeat)

Shayne Ward, (Coronation Street, Rock Of Ages, X Factor winner)

The world premiere will be in Leeds at the Grand Theatre on November 28, after which a tour opens at Nottingham's Theatre Royal on Tuesday, January 14 until  Saturday, January 18.

Band of Gold writer Kay Mellor will direct the stage adaptation (PA)

UK TOUR

January

14 - 18 Theatre Royal, Nottingham (0115 989 5555, trch.co.uk)

21 - 25 The Lowry, Salford (0843 208 6003, thelowry.com)

27 - 1 Darlington Hippodrome (01325 405405, darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk)

February

4 - 8 Southampton Mayflower (02380 711811, mayflower.org.uk)

10 - 15 Birmingham Alexandra (0844 871 3011, atgtickets.com)

24 - 29 New Brighton Pavilion, Liverpool (0151 666 0000, floralpavilion.com)

Performances at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham are Tue-Sat 7.30pm, Wed matinee 2pm and Sat matinee 2.30pm.

Tickets are on sale now priced from £17.50 to £39.50.

Discounts are available for Royal Members, under 16s, 16-25 year olds, and groups).

To book call 0115 989 5555 or go to trch.co.uk.

  Mellor, who will direct the play, has already enjoyed stage success with Fat Friends The Musical, adapted from her TV comedy series, which starred James Corden, Alison Steadman, Ruth Jones and Mellor's actress daughter, Gaynor Faye.