Denise Welch is set to play the Queen in stage musical about Princess Diana

14 June 2023 , 19:32

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The late Queen will be played by Denise Welch (Image: Getty Images)

Never mind the Coronation, this is surely the greatest appointment of a royal this year...

Diana: The Musical will star Denise Welch as the late Queen.

While Denise, 65, may be lamenting that she is no longer Taylor Swift ’s future mother-in-law (Tay broke up with Denise’s son, The 1975’s Matty Healy, last week) she is delighted to sign up for a theatre production in December.

Bon Jovi keyboardist David Bryan has written the music for the play, which started on Broadway and is now heading to Hammersmith on December 4.

Denise particularly enjoyed one person’s comment that her taking on the role is “maybe the most iconic British pop culture moment in the 21st century”.

EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness

Denise in poster for the show

Kerry Ellis will play Princess Diana (Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)

Diana will be played by Kerry Ellis, best known as the first British actress to take the lead role of Elphaba in Wicked.

Maiya Quansah-Breed, nominated for an Olivier for playing Catherine Parr in the musical Six, will play Diana at 19.

Corrie and Hollyoaks veteran Denise may not be the royals’ first choice to play the Queen, as she recently referred to Queen Camilla as King Charles’ “side piece” on Loose Women. Mind you, they’re unlikely to attend the performance.

Ashleigh Rainbird