GET ready for the ride of your life!

An 80's pop icon, two top comedians and a soap legend will star in the forthcoming production of Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang the Daily Echo can exclusively reveal today.

The most 'Fantasmagorical' musical, 'Chitty' roars into Southampton in February 2016 with a Formula 1 team.

Caractacus Potts will be played by comedian and actor Jason Manford (The Producers, Sweeney Todd), who returns to the Mayflower fresh from his success in The Producers.

New Romantic pioneer and Spandau Ballet heart-throb Martin Kemp who found success as an actor in EastEnders and The Krays will play the evil Childcatcher.

The musical will also feature Phill Jupitus (The Producers, Hairspray) as Lord Scrumptious/Baron Bomburst, and soap star Michelle Collins (EastEnders, Coronation Street) as Baroness Bomburst.

Amy Griffiths (Everyman, Stephen Ward, The Pajama Game) will play Truly Scrumptious and Andy Hockley (The Phantom Of The Opera) plays Grandpa Potts.

This Music & Lyrics Limited and West Yorkshire Playhouse production of the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 2016-17 UK and Ireland tour begins at the Mayflower Theatre where it runs from February 10- 21.

The show has music and lyrics by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman, who were also responsible for Mary Poppins, The Slipper and the Rose, The Aristocats and The Jungle Book. The Sherman Brothers have won two Academy Awards with a further nine nominations, two Grammy Awards and they have received 21 gold and platinum albums.

The film made from Ian Fleming’s classic story has been adapted for the stage by Jeremy Sams, based on the MGM Motion Picture Licensed Script adapted by Ray Roderick.

This new production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will be directed by West Yorkshire Playhouse Artistic Director James Brining, with new choreography by Stephen Mear. There will be a live orchestra with Musical Supervision by Stephen Ridley. Set and costume design is by Simon Higlett, lighting design is by Tim Mitchell, sound design is by Ben Harrison and video design is by Simon Wainwright.

There will be sensational sets and stunning special effects and, of course, the memorable score by the Sherman Brothers, which includes such standards as Truly Scrumptious, Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain and the Oscar-nominated title song Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Michael Ockwell, Mayflower Theatre Chief Executive and Chairman of Music and Lyrics said, “I am thrilled that as part of Music and Lyrics we are able to bring Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with such a stunning cast to Southampton in February. Once again we are launching a UK tour and enabling our local community to rediscover the magic of this wonderful musical - fasten your seatbelts Southampton it’s going to be a magical ride!”

Tickets are on sale now from Mayflower Theatre Box Office tel: (023) 8071 1811 or online at mayflower.org.uk.

Ovation Restaurant bookings are available on (023) 8071 1833 or get more information on the show at  www.chittythemusical.co.uk