Coronation Street star takes centre stage in Cluedo 2

Ellie Leach was best known for Coronation Street, playing Faye Windass who had her fair share of drama in 12 years, including a surprising pregnancy, attacking Adam Barlow, early menopause and her own adoption storyline.

I say ‘was’ because once she left Weatherfield, she was announced as one of the celebrities competing in the hit feelgood TV event that is Strictly Come Dancing.

Ellie Leach in Cluedo 2

She went on to win the show and viewers saw her change before their very eyes, in terms of confidence. She has since danced in arenas across the UK on the Strictly tour.

Her next role is on stage where she will be making her debut treading the boards as Miss Scarlett in Cluedo 2, and  one of the show’s stops is The Lowry.

You can buy tickets by clicking here

We caught up with her to find out more.

Congratulations on winning the glitterball trophy. How has life changed for you since Strictly Come Dancing?

Thank you!!

I can’t believe how much the whole experience changed my life, I didn’t have that many expectations of Strictly beforehand but it completely exceeded anything that I expected and lifting the glitterball just topped off the most amazing experience!

I just feel so grateful that people supported me and Vito and voted for us every week.

What attracted you to Cluedo 2?

Cluedo is such an iconic game with iconic characters and I love the idea of a board game being adapted for the stage. It’s a classic murder mystery with a comedic twist and when I read the script it immediately felt like it was going to be so much fun.

The writers, Laurence Marks & Maurice Gran, teamed with our director Mark Bell is a comedic match made in heaven and it’s an honour to be a part of such an amazing show.

How does performing in an arena prepare you for treading the boards?

Thousands came to watch the Strictly tour and it did give me a sense of what it is like to perform in front of a live audience.

It’s been amazing to take on this new experience and do something different to TV, which is practically at the other end of the acting scale.

Television is very naturalistic and on stage, everything happens a thousand times bigger. But that’s what’s so exciting.

What are you looking forward to the most about your Cluedo experience?

I was really looking forward to making my stage debut and so far it’s been so much fun. I’ve already learnt so much and I know I will continue to learn more and more about theatre, the play and myself in the process!

I’m also really looking forward to touring the country and getting to see beautiful theatres and beautiful places that I haven’t seen before.

What can audiences expect from the show?

The show is a murder mystery set in the 60s with a fab cast & a fun set.

My favourite part about the show is that it’s made for the whole family so you can really enjoy it whether its with your children or your grandparents its a real family fun show and with it being a whodunnit, the audience can really get involved and become their very own detective throughout the show to work out who did it, in what room and with what weapon.

Your family have always been very supportive. Will they be cheering you on when the tour brings you to the Lowry?

I’m so lucky to have such a supportive family and all I want to do in life is make them proud.

I love that my family get to experience all aspects of my life with me and I’m so excited for them to see me in this next chapter.

I think my mum has tickets to every show at the Lowry, she’s bringing a different group of friends each night….I don’t know how she knows that many people but I love the commitment from her!

Cluedo 2 is at The Lowry from 2nd-6th April. Book tickets here