A TROUBLED former soap star is putting her concerns about her marriage behind her to perform in the region next month.

Tracy Shaw, who made her name as Maxine in Coronation Street, has refused to comment on speculation about the future of her marriage in recent weeks.

And next month, along with Jason Connery, she will open Darlington Civic Theatre's summer season with a starring role in the controversial erotic drama The Blue Room.

The adults-only drama will be followed by a series of musicals at the theatre, including tributes to Hollywood, Broadway and the Music Hall.

The Festival Symphony Orchestra will be celebrating the music of Queen on May 23, and The Counterfeit Stones will perform later in the season.

The 1970s revival will continue with a concert by Showaddywaddy, Sweet and The Rubettes, as well as productions of The Blues Brothers, The Official Roy Orbison Story, and Saturday Night Fever.

The season will see several famous, names including Ruth Madoc, Jonathon Morris and Anne Charleston, taking to the Darlington stage.

For more information and tickets, call (01325) 486555.