Coronation Street’s Ellie Leach replaces Helen Flanagan as she lands first role after Strictly win

Former Coronation Street star Ellie Leach will make her theatre debut in the upcoming tour of Cluedo 2, replacing Helen Flanagan.

The actress, who portrayed Faye Windass in the ITV soap, is stepping into Helen’s role of Miss Scarlett, after the star was ‘advised to withdraw for medical reasons’.

The statement regarding Helen’s withdrawal said: ‘Helen Flanagan has been advised to withdraw for medical reasons and the company of Cluedo 2 wish her well.’

Ellie, who won last year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing alongside professional partner Vito Coppola, commented on her new role and said: ‘After an incredible year I’m so excited to join the cast of Cluedo 2’.

Starring alongside Jason Durr, best known for his role as David Hide in Casualty, she added: ‘I am delighted to make my stage acting debut as Miss Scarlett and I can’t wait to work with Jason and the talented cast.’

This will be Ellie’s first acting role following her Strictly win and exit from Coronation Street. She portrayed Faye Windass for 12 years, with the character departing Weatherfield for a new life with her partner and their daughter Miley.

Cluedo 2, which is set in the 60s, begins at London’s Richmond Theatre on February 29, finishing at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham on July 27 after travelling across the UK.

The production, which is based on the beloved board game, was written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran and directed by Mark Bell, from the hugely successful The Play That Goes Wrong.

Helen Flanagan is best known for playing Rosie Webster in Coronation Street. She has three children with former partner and footballer Scott Sinclair, and often documents her life and experiences with motherhood on her social media.

Elsewhere, Jason Durr said goodbye to his Casualty role last year, with David Hide choosing to hang up his nursing scrubs following the death of beloved friend Robyn Miller (Amanda Henderson).