Les Dennis has shared his delight at joining the cast of the West End smash hit musical version of BBC sitcom, Only Fools and Horses.
The 68-year-old actor and comedian will be playing Del Trotter's Grandad on stage, following on from the show's co-writer Paul Whitehouse later this year.
The late Lennard Pearce played the original Grandad in the much-loved TV series with David Jason playing lovable rogue and market trader, Del Boy, and Nicholas Lyndhurst being his hapless brother, Rodney.
In the musical version of the iconic sitcom, Del Boy, who is played on stage by Tom Bennett, contacts a dating agency as younger brother Rodney (Ryan Hutton) and plans to marry fiancé Cassandra (Nicola Munns).
Les will join the show on October 3 and has shared his excitement at being part of the critically acclaimed West End hit.
Les said: "I am so excited to be playing Grandad in Only Fools and Horses The Musical.
"Like everyone else, I would tune in weekly to watch the hilarious exploits of the Trotters and would laugh and cry in equal measure"
The musical was conceived by Jim Sullivan, son of Only Fool's creator John Sullivan, and Fast Show star Paul Whitehouse and it opened in London during 2019.
Les, who played Michael Rodwell on Coronation Street for two years until 2016, added: "It was both funny and touching. Jim Sullivan and Paul Whitehouse have written a wonderful show that beautifully recreates that feel-good era of British comedy.
"I can't wait to join the hugely talented cast and be a part of it. Lovely jubbly!"
Directed by Caroline Jay Ranger, co-writer Paul believes the show has attracted fans who wouldn't normally go into a theatre.
He said: "We've had a lot of people in the audience, of a certain age, let's say, who have never been to a theatre before. It's just not in their make-up, they think it's a bit poncy, as Del Boy would put it.
"But when that theme tune starts they forget where they are and start consuming the show like they did on TV and they love it. We've had so many fans returning watching the show several times over'"
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