STARS of the best-known TV soaps are swapping their usual sets for the stage to perform in a hilarious new murder mystery called Soap Opera.

The most infamous soap baddie of all time, Leslie Grantham, aka Dirty Den from EastEnders, stars in the play which comes to The Playhouse Theatre in Weston next week.

He will be joined by Graham Cole, best known for playing PC Tony Stamp in The Bill and Michelle Gayle, who played Hattie Tavernier in EastEnders.

Soap Opera is set behind the scenes at failing TV soap Hollyenders Street, which has been on air for nearly 20 years.Viewing figures are the worst they’ve ever been so a new, hardnosed producer is brought in.

Characters are cut, stories are sexed up and new blood is brought in. Even the theme tune is rewritten.

But just before the show’s 20th anniversary, somebody snaps. Blood is spilled, a body is discovered, and everyone has a motive.

But who is responsible? Leslie Grantham, Graham Cole, Michelle Gayle or the other cast members Louis Emerick, who played Mick Johnson in C4's Brookside, Lee Otway, best known for playing David ‘Bomb-Head’ Burke in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks, Hattie Hayridge who played Holly in Red Dwarf or the actor and comedian Kev Orkian, who has featured on ITV1’s Britain’s Got Talent?

The detective in charge of the investigation, who is a life-long fan of the show, arrives to solve the case.

Will the show be saved? Will the murderer be found? Will Detective Emmerside get a full set of autographs?

The answer to all these questions and more is … probably.

Soap Opera will be staged at the Playhouse from Thursday, November 1, to Saturday, November 3, at 7.30pm with a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday.

Tickets costing £16 (£14 concs) are available via theplayhouse.co.uk or by calling 01934-645544.