Andrew Dunn is to return to his role as Tony from the BBC TV comedy show Dinnerladies in a Midland theatre production based on the series.

Dinnerladies is at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre from next Monday to Saturday and while there is plenty to keep old fans entertained, the tour has been attracting some who were not born until after the TV series written by Victoria Wood was first shown.

Since BBC TV first screened Dinnerladies in November 1998, Andrew has appeared in Coronation Street and police drama 55 Degrees North among other shows.

But when the 52-year-old heard that Dinnerladies was being adapted for the theatre it was an easy decision to return.

The story is based in the canteen of HWD Components and follows the reluctant romance between Bren and colleague Tony, played by Andrew.

Coronation Street favourite Shobna Gulati steps back into her role as Anita.

Tony said: “It was very easy to go back, I found that the comedy in it was still very funny.

“When I read the script for the show it was making me laugh again.”

The script is mainly taken from three episodes in the second series and lots of lines from elsewhere.

Victoria Wood has also written some lines to link it.

“When we did the TV show it was in front of a live audience anyway so it was not hard to move it to the theatre,” Andrew said.

“Getting back into character was very easy, I just had to put my silly hat on and that was it. It was 10 years ago, but it doesn’t seem like it.”

Andrew said so far there has been a great reaction, adding: “It has been continually repeated on one of the digital channels. We have got all ages coming, even some children who are aged 10 or 11 not even born when it was first on, but they have been watching it since.”

For ticket information, call 01902 429212.