Birds of a Feather stars roll back the years

New grandmother Linda Robson is rolling back the years as she prepares to take to the stage in the West Midlands for Birds of a Feather.

It is 14 years since the sitcom left our television screens.

But now 54-year-old Linda has been reunited with Pauline Quirke and Lesley Joseph for the show, which begins its run at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham on Monday.

"It's fantastic to be back doing Birds of a Feather and lovely to be working with Pauline again," she said.

"It's like we have never been away. We won't stop nattering. The poor director had to keep shutting us up. It's fantastic."

Running for 10 years until 1998, BBC's Birds of a Feather chronicled the misadventures of Tracey Stubbs, played by Robson, Sharon Theodopolopoudos, played by Pauline, and their man-eating neighbour, Dorien Green, played by Lesley.

The story has moved on significantly for the stage show. The women are now living in a smaller house and Tracey has split with her husband Daryl, who is out of prison.

Sharon's son Travis, who was born in the final episode of the hit BBC comedy, is now a teenager. The part is being shared between Linda's son Louis and Pauline's son Charlie.

"You don't need to have seen the previous episodes to enjoy it, the production is a story in its own right," said Robson. "We think it will appeal to most people.

"We find there are old fans, who watched the show at the time, but there are also new fans. A lot of youngsters have watched reruns and seen DVDs."

But while she's taking a step back in time for the stage production, Linda has entered a new phase in her personal life after becoming a grandmother for the first time. Her daughter Lauren gave birth to Isla on March 19.

"It was amazing," she Linda, who lives in Islington, North London.

Birds of a Feather takes place from May 14 to 19. Tickets from £13.50. Visit www.atgtick ets.com/birmingham or call 0844 871 3011 for information.