Faye Brookes talks Strictly Ballroom, her love of Manchester and Coronation Street

Stretford born actress Faye Brookes is well-known to both TV and theatre audiences.

She has starred in touring productions of Legally Blonde, Shrek and Chicago, and she has always loved coming home to Manchester.

When asked what she loves about Manchester, she smiles and says simply: “The people.”

Is there anything she would change about the city? She laughs and says: “My only wish would be to move the city of Manchester closer to London so I could see my family more!”

In 2015 Faye got her ideal job for someone who loves this city, as she starred as Kate Connor in Coronation Street.

She featured in a powerful suicide storyline featuring on-screen brother Aidan, played by Manchester’s Shayne Ward. She left the show in 2019 but still has fond memories of her time on the cobbles.

She said: “My Coronation Street family made my time there very special. The Connors were a very strong family. I love them all dearly. They helped me hold the character of Kate Connor.

Faye is coming home later this month to star in the stage version of Baz Lurhmann’s Strictly Ballroom.

She recently took part in ITV’s Dancing on Ice and came second. So it is no surprise to learn that one of the things that attracted her to this musical was “the dancing.”

Faye lights up when she talks about this zany musical and says: “The stage version of Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom brings the film to life. It’s brilliant and bonkers.”

Unlike the film, this is a full-on musical. It remains as camp as the original film but with new songs and some from the film that fans of the movie will recognise.

What is Faye’s favourite number? She says: “Beautiful Surprise” – this is the duet between Scott and Fran.

“It’s a beautiful moment and it shows how far they’ve come as individuals in the Strictly Ballroom story.”

Having taken part in Dancing on Ice and with Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood on directing duties for this touring musical, has he asked her to be one of the celebrities in the hit BBC TV show?

She waxes lyrical about her co-star – former Strictly professional Kevin Clifton and says: “I would 100% do Strictly Come Dancing if the opportunity came along but only if I can have Kevin Clifton as my pro!”

Faye always looks completely at home on stage but does she have a favourite role, that she has connected with?

She does not hesitate and says: “Roxie Hart from Chicago is my favourite role. It was the role that kept on giving and I still feel like I had so much more to give, I had only scratched the surface.”

 If you have not seen the film Strictly Ballroom and do not know what to expect when the show comes to The Lowry later this month, I will leave the last words to Faye to sell it.

“Strictly Ballroom will lift your spirits, and you come away with the best energy and it’s a really good musical”, she says.

Faye Brookes stars alongside Kevin Clifton in Strictly Ballroom which is at The Lowry from Mon 26 June – Sat 1^st July and tickets can be purchased here.