Strictly champion Ellie Leach is to star in a play based on an iconic board game at Darlington's Hippodrome theatre.

Ellie, the reigning Strictly Come Dancing champion, will join Casualty’s Jason Durr in the production of Cluedo 2, based on the Hasbro board game as it celebrates its 75th anniversary.

She will play Miss Scarlett in the production having waltzed her way to victory with partner Vito Coppola to win the Glitterball trophy in December. She is known to many as Faye Windass in Coronation Street, having been nominated for many acting awards in her 13-year stint.

She will be joined by Jason Durr, playing Colonel Mustard. Durr is known for playing David in BBC’s Casualty from 2016 to last year, and as policeman Mike Bradley in ITV’s Heartbeat.

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Ellie said: “I’ve really enjoyed bringing Miss Scarlett to life on stage. It’s so much fun to perform this iconic character and to see audiences of all ages having such a good time at every show, so I’m really thrilled to be extending the tour.”

Cluedo 2 runs at Darlington Hippodrome from Tuesday, October 8 to Saturday, October 12.

The cast is completed by Jack Bennett (Wadsworth), Hannah Boyce (Mrs Peacock), Dawn Buckland (Mrs White), Liam Horrigan (Mr Black), Edward Howells (Professor Plum), Tiwai Muza (PC Silver) and Gabriel Paul (Reverend Green) with Kara Alberts-Turner, Audrey Anderson and Henry Lawes.