Lee Mead .. Timeline - Fat Friends UK Tour, 2022

UPDATE 08/01/2022: Though no formal announcement has yet been made by the producers, sadly it is becoming clear that this tour has fallen victim to the continuing uncertainty around COVID that is hitting the theatre industry in general and ticket sales in particular so hard. With 16 of the 24 venues now off sale, and a couple of those communicating news of postponement or cancellation to their customers, it seems only a matter of time before a full cancellation is announced.

UPDATE 10/01/2022: Now officially confirmed on the show's website, where the following statement has replaced the tour dates:

"We regret to inform you that due to recent and ongoing Covid-19 related events and their direct and detrimental impact on the production of Fat Friends - the Musical, this show has sadly had to postpone its scheduled UK and Ireland Tour and we are now looking in to rescheduling the production with alternative dates.

We were very much looking forward to delighting audiences again with this delicious treat of a feel good musical, that addresses such important and timely issues and was such a celebrated hit when it first toured the UK in 2018.

We would like to thank audiences for their understanding and support and are confident that we will find a way to bring the show back to theatres and sell out audiences again, at a time and in circumstances, that will allow Fat Friends to return, bigger and better than ever!"

I remain hopeful that the tour can be rescheduled, but there is no information at this stage about when that may be or, indeed, whether the current cast will still be attached. Venues are generally either offering an immediate refund/credit voucher or holding bookings over for the new date (at which point you should also expect a refund/credit if the date isn't suitable).

I will leave the schedule information below so that contact details are available, but as with all previous cancellations, my advice is to wait for the venue to contact you in the first instance and, I need hardly add, treat them with kindness when they do.

News broke initally via a priority booking tweet from one of the theatres on the tour, later confirmed by a press release (see full article from LondonTheatre1), that Lee would star in next year's UK & Ireland tour revival of Fat Friends the Musical.

First touring the UK in 2017, the musical is based on hit ITV show Fat Friends and is created, directed and has book and lyrics by the multi award winning Kay Mellor, with original music by Nicholas Lloyd Webber. The tour, produced by Joshua Andrews and Rollem Productions, starts in Dartford on 14 January, visting over 20 venues around the UK and Ireland, ending in Hull on 23 July.

UPDATE 06/10/2021: In a change to the previously announced casting, Lee will now play the role of Kevin Murgatroyd, starring alongside Sherrie Hewson (Coronation Street, Benidorm), Jessica Ellis (Hollyoaks) and, direct from his acclaimed West End run in Hairspray, Les Dennis (Legally Blonde, Extras, Coronation Street).

Kay Mellor said...

"Issues of body image and online trolling are more pertinent today than ever, and will resonate with people everywhere. Despite this, using song, dance and humour I can guarantee that audiences will leave the show with a smile on their face and feeling better about themselves – something we all need right now. I’m delighted to be remounting Fat Friends the Musical, thrilled to be working with the brilliant and talented Lee Mead and can’t wait for us to bring the show to so many fantastic venues around the UK and Ireland."

while Lee tweeted...

"Thank you for all the lovely messages today regarding @FatFriendsShow. I'm so excited to be back on the road again and to be back to work in a big musical from the start of next year. This one's gonna be a lot of fun x "

TOUR SCHEDULE