There’s a musical about Princess Diana set to hit the stage in London later this year, and the cast is rather unexpected.
As exclusively revealed by What’s On Stage yesterday, the cult-favourite DIANA will officially be making its way over to the UK for the first time ever this December after becoming a smash-hit on Broadway when it premiered back in autumn of 2021, and also going on to become a viral legend when it landed on Netflix that same year.
In case it’s the first you’re hearing of it, DIANA is the work of renowned American playwrite Joe DiPietro and Bon Jovi keyboardist David Bryan – who have previously collaborated on Memphis.
Although the People’s Princess may seem like a bizarre choice of stage show subject, with satirical musicals and productions about Prince Andrew, Tony Blair, and even the ‘Wagatha Chrisie’ trial all having already having come to fruition in recent months, perhaps Lady Di being the star of the show isn’t as bizarre as it initially seems.
The cast, however, is still best described as unexpected – or one particular cast member is, shall we say.
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A Princess Diana musical is heading to the UK later this year / Credit: DIANA
We’re not referring to the two musical theatre heavyweight actresses who have been announced to take on the coveted role of Princess Diana at two different stages of her life, Kerry Ellis – who has previously had starring roles in Wicked and Anything Goes – and Greater Manchester‘s very-own Maiya Quansah-Breed, who was born in Eccles and was an original cast member of Six.
Of course, when we say ‘unexpected’, we’re referring to the fact that TV actress and Loose Women panellist Denise Welch has also been announced to guest star in the show.
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And in the role of the late Queen Elizabeth II, no less.
After the cast for the London version of the musical was announced yesterday, the name Denise Welch started trending on Twitter pretty much straight away as fans were so shocked by it all and just couldn’t believe what they were reading.
Am I living on a different planet? Denise Welch will be playing The Queen in the Diana musical?!?!! pic.twitter.com/qylDdHDJaA
I’m convinced this is a social experiment. The fact Denise welch of Corrie Waterloo road loose women matty healy and COVID conspiracy fame. Is playing the queen of England https://t.co/xmQWdelxJD
— sharon mitchells stunning weave (@sharon_weave) June 14, 2023
Essentially, DIANA charts the rise of Diana Spencer as she becomes the princess of the people.
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The show is a tale split into two parts – with an older Diana both narrating and reflecting back on her life and that of her 19-year old self.
Described as being “a new concert version” of the hit original musical production, some of the show’s most well-known musical numbers that audience members can look forward to include ‘Secrets and Lies’, ‘Here Comes James Hewitt’, and ‘She Moves In the Most Modern Ways’.
Stockport County’s Christmas dinner in a cup returns for 2025 as part of new festive food range
Danny Jones
We can’t believe it’s rolled around again already, but with the festive period well underway and the big day just a few weeks away, Stockport County have brought back their viral ‘Xmas dinner in a cup’for 2025.
Better still, the County Courtyard has seen some new Christmas specials added to its food menu, too.
The local football club are absolutely flying in League One at the moment, having spent plenty of time at the top of the table already and still well and truly contesting those promotion/play-off spots.
If you’re a Stopfordian, that’s plenty of cause for celebration right there, but with the Christmas dinner in a cup also up for grabs once more, the holiday season literally couldn’t taste any better right now.
For those who’ve never seen it before, it’s exactly what it says on the tin – well, cup: a little Sunday dinner in a County-branded takeaway coffee cup, complete with a healthy pour of gravy and pretty much all the trimmings you could hope for.
Yes, including sprouts, because all of you who still don’t touch them need to grow up already.
Currently priced at just £4.50, not only does it contain virtually all the major food groups (barring the customary matchday pints, of course), it might just be one of the healthiest and best value-for-money bits of footy scran around – certainly in Greater Manchester, anyway.
But, as mentioned, that’s not all this year; Stockport are also serving up the new festive hot dog and even a ‘leftover Christmas curry’ in a bowl, which might even be more warming on a cold night at Edgeley Park than the Xmas dinner in a cup or clinging onto a flask of Bovril.
Anyone else craving that curry with a cheeky bit of bubble and squeak now?
It’s also worth noting that you’ll only be able to get one of those on Boxing Day, by the way, when the Hatters host Lincoln City in the league.
As for the rest of it, County fans can get their hands on this seasonal scran for the first time this year at the weekend when Dave Challinor’s side take on Barnsley at 12:30pm, and two of the three specials will then be served at home every game over the holiday period.
Speaking of random Christmas food creations, there’s another limited-time-only and potentially divisive example that we’ll also be sampling this December…
Aldi has launched the world’s first lickable pigs in blankets wrapping paper… for some reason
Emily Sergeant
Aldi has launched its latest Christmas creation, and this one’s arguably wackier than anything else it’s brought out before.
There’s absolutely no denying that pigs in blankets are a staple of festive feasting, with millions of the little delicacies consumed throughout the UK each Christmas, but have you ever wished you could turn the taste of those pigs in blankets into a lickable wrapping paper to wrap all this year’s gifts in? Yeah probably not… Aldi‘s made it though.
It’s anticipated that more than 561 million pigs in blankets are going to be eaten over the festive period, new research has found, which is an average of 10 per person.
But if you just can’t bare to leave the taste of pigs in blankets behind, Aldi’s new wrapping paper is set to give shoppers a fun and tasty twist when it comes to gift-giving.
The limited-edition wrapping paper is inspired by Aldi’s very-own range of pigs in blankets, and is described as capturing the smoky, savoury flavour and smell of the festive treat, with stickers that peel back to reveal a truly unique ‘lickable’ experience.
Aldi has launched the world’s first lickable pigs in blankets wrapping paper / Credit: Simon Jacobs/PA Wire (via Aldi UK)
Not only does the novelty wrapping paper taste and smells like pigs in blankets, it also looks the part on presents too with its pastel pink design, festive holly, and snowflake patterns.
“Pigs in Blankets are a highlight of the festive season… so we wanted to create something special to celebrate the Christmas classic,” commented Julie Ashfield, who is the Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, as the new creation launches.
“This unique, lickable wrapping paper is the perfect way to spread extra joy on Christmas Day.”
Want to get your hands on it then? Unfortunately, it won’t be as simple as popping to your nearest Aldi store and picking up a roll, as with a creation as unique as this, there’s only going to be limited stock and a special shopper competition to win it.
To be in with a chance of winning, you simply need to email [email protected] with your full name before the deadline at 11:59pm on 1 December.
Emily Sergeant -
15th June 2023 
