HAMPSHIRE's own Amanda Holden is stepping out in a brand new staging of Richard Harris’s award-winning comedy, also starring Angela Griffin, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Tamzin Outhwaite and Nicola Stephenson.

Stepping Out is playing at Chichester Festival Theatre until November 19 as part of a UK tour prior to a West End transfer, directed by multi award-winning Maria Friedman.

Wonderfully funny and heart-warming, Stepping Out charts the lives of seven women and one man attempting to tap their troubles away at a weekly dancing class. Initially all thumbs and left feet, the group is just getting to grips with the basics when they are asked to take part in a charity gala. Over the course of several months we meet the group, and all of them have a story to tell. There’s perfectionist Vera, mouthy Maxine and uptight Andy, bubbly Sylvia and shy Dorothy, eager Lynne and cheerful Rose, and, of course, Geoffrey. At the piano is the dour Mrs Fraser and spurring them all on, the ever-patient Mavis.

One of the UK’s best-loved personalities, Amanda Holden plays Vera. Nominated for an Olivier Award in 2004 for her leading role in Thoroughly Modern Millie, she also starred in the West End in the UK premiere of Shrek the Musical as Princess Fiona. Her numerous television credits include Wild at Heart, Kiss Me Kate, The Grimleys, Cutting It, Big Top and Hearts and Bones. She has been a judge on the award-winning Britain’s Got Talent throughout all of its ten series.

She lived in Bishops Waltham and Waltham Chase until the age of 16 when she moved to Bournemouth.

Call 01243 781312 or visit cft.org.uk for tickets.