WEST End and Broadway hit musical comedy Hairspray returns to The Mayflower for a two week run, as part of its latest UK and Ireland tour, on Tuesday.

The cast is led by Waterloo Road’s Mark Benton as larger than life Edna Turnblad, Lucy Benjamin, of EastEnders fame, as scheming TV executive Velma Von Tussle and X Factor finalist Marcus Collins as too cool for school Seaweed Stubbs.

They are joined by newcomer Freya Sutton as big-hearted, big-haired teen heroine Tracy Turnblad and original West End cast member Sandra Marvin, as Motormouth Maybelle.

It’s 1962, the 50s are out and change is in the air. Baltimore’s Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion – dancing.

She wins a spot on the local TV dance programme, The Corny Collins Show and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity.

But can a trendsetting hair-hopper like Tracy get her massively shy mother Edna out of the apartment, beat evil Amber to be crowned Miss Hairspray, integrate Corny’s show for good, win the heart of local heart-throb Link Larkin, all without denting her super high ‘do’? If anyone can, Tracy can!

Star of Early Doors, Northern Lights and Murphy’s Law, Mark Benton has found a new appreciation for housecoats and heels since stepping into Michael Ball’s shoes in the show.

Ahead of only his second ever stop in Southampton, the other to see his beloved Middlesbrough lose at St Mary’s, he told Lorelei Reddin: “I’m loving it! It’s been a real surprise to me as I’ve never done anything like this before.

“It’s been a real challenge but I always look to do different things and this is certainly a change from Chalky in Waterloo Road.

“I just thought what the hell, I’ll have a go and the show has been an amazing experience.

“This is the first big lady I’ve played in more ways than one.

“It’s great fun and I’ve got really swept up with it all, particularly the gigantic embroidered duvet I wear!

“The whole thing is a challenge. Acting, singing and dancing is one thing, but putting them all together is something else!”