A familiar face from the world of television is the latest name to join the female-led cast of Steel Magnolias.

Harriet Thorpe, best known for playing Fleur in Absolutely Fabulous and Carole Parkinson in The Brittas Empire, has been announced for the 2023 tour.

The tour, which kicks off at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley from Thursday, January 19 to Saturday, January 21, will be visiting more than 20 theatres across the country.

The show will also stop off at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford from Tuesday, July 4 to Saturday, July 8.

You can see the full list of tour dates and book tickets here.

Harriet will join an ensemble cast including Call the Midwife star Laura Main, former X Factor contestant Diana Vickers, EastEnders and The Bill actor Lucy Speed, A Touch of Frost’s Caroline Harker and Playboy of the West Indies cast member Elizabeth Ayodele.

The show, which first debuted on Broadway in 1987, follows the true story of six women who meet once a week in their local beauty salon to share the highs and lows of their lives and put the world to rights, forming an unbreakable bond.

The story became a global success when it was adapted into a Hollywood film in 1989, starring Dolly Parton and Julia Roberts.

This latest stage production is directed by Anthony Banks, best known for his work on the Girl on the Train and Dial M for Murder.