WIRRAL actor Louis Emerick makes his debut at the Storyhouse in Chester next month in the stage tour of The Full Monty.

The former Brookside and Last Of The Summer Wine star plays out-of-work steelworker Horse in the show – based on the smash-hit 1997 film – which will be staged from Monday, September 24 to Saturday, September 29.

Adapted by Simon Beaufoy it also features Gary Lucy as Gaz, Andrew Dunn as Gerald, James Redmond as Guy, Kai Owen as Dave, Joe Gill as Lomper.

Louis, who lives in Wallasey, returns to the role of Horse following acclaimed appearances in the 2014, 2015 and 2017 national tours.

He told the Globe today: "It's got a great story, but it's been hijacked by the last three minutes.

"It's certainly the biggest thing I've done in my career, because I've never been involved in a number one tour before.

"Full Monty is a great story, first and foremost. A tale of the triumph over adversity, which does inspire people.

"It's not a strip-show, it's a show with a simple message that says you can do anything if you put your mind to it."

The show won the UK Theatre Award for Best Touring Production.

The film, about six out-of-work Sheffield steelworkers with nothing to lose, took the world by storm becoming one of the most successful British films ever made.

It also has a family connection; featuring Louis' ex brother-in-law, former Only Fools & Horses star Paul Barber - as Horse in the film.

Louis said "When I got the stage role, I rang Paul up and he was made up for me.

"I had to promise myself not to keep ringing him up for advice.”

And as Louis explained, its story still resonates today, probably more so now than ever.

He said: "It's based in the 1980s, but it's still hugely relevant to today, when hundreds of people are still losing their jobs."

On taking the show to Storyhouse, the 55-year-old said: "It's the first time I will have performed there and am really looking forward to; I believe it's a wonderful space.

"It's been more than 30 years since I appeared at a theatre in Chester and am looking forward to going back."

Born in the Toxteth, Louis started out his theatrical life as a member of Genesis Theatre.

Early screen appearances included ITV comedy Home to Roost, Floodtide and the TV movie Ball-Trap on the Cote Sauvage.

In 1989 Louis, he joined the popular Channel Four soap Brookside and remained with the show for 12 years.

The programme - which made stars of Wirral actors Dean Sullivan, Suzanne Collins and Ann-Marie Davies - ran from 1982 to 2003.

Louis has also appeared in Cold Feet, The Bill, Merseybeat, Holby City, Doctors and Casualty.

Recent TV credits include Coronation Street, New Tricks, Doctors and Silent Witness (all for the BBC), Channel 4's Hollyoaks Later, Crime Stories for ITV, the feature film Lapse of Honour and the recurring role of Norman the Doormen in ITV's Benidorm.

But he admits that Brookside will always have a special place in his heart and would like to see the hugely popular soap return in some form.

He said: "It's 15 years since it finished, and the whole landscape of Liverpool has changed.

"There are 1000s of stories in the city and it would be great to revive the show, in some way, for a new audience with new characters and new faces and with old Brookside characters making brief appearances.

"When Brookside started, its only star was creator Phil Redmond. Many of the actors were newcomers, but went onto become household names. There's a wealth of young talent out there."

Tickets for The Full Monty are from Storyhouse box office on 01244 409 113, online at www.storyhouse.com or in person from the ticket kiosks at Storyhouse in Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR.