Rayocool fmentertainmenttelevision

Footballers' Wives is returning... Sort of

But you'll have to go to a theatre!

Author: William MarriottPublished 21st Oct 2019

Cast your minds back to the period of 2002-2006. You'd just settled down on the sofa with a cuppa and a bar of chocolate, ready to put on one of the most iconic TV shows of all time - Footballers' Wives.

Well, you will be able to relive that feeling all over again next year, when the show returns as a MUSICAL!

Maureen Chadwick, one of Footballers' Wives original creators, has confirmed to Radio Times that a stage adaptions of the hit show is in works, meaning Tanya Turner's revival is imminent.

She revealed the musical will be based around the same plot of the first series, which saw viewers welcomed into the life of footballer Jason Turner, and his wife Tanya, as they overcame hurdles and the drama, to be a powerful, celebrity couple.

And it's even better news for fans of the show, as its producer Liz Lake also revealed to Radio Times that while there's no plans for a TV comeback, she'd be up for another series if the gang wanted to reunite.

She said, "If there's an appetite for it, and enough people want it, it would be worth having that conversation.

"Whatever job I do, I get people telling me they loved Footballers' Wives. It was an escape and a bit of refreshing camp, but it was still really bold storytelling."

Liz added, "I think we'd prefer to have an update than a reboot, a revival moving it forward.

"It's more than just nostalgia, it's about seeing what life is like now."

However, whether lead star Zoe Lucker, who played Tanya, is on board is another question, as she previously revealed to the magazine she wouldn't want to disappoint fans.

The actress said, "The thing that would worry me is, what if it wasn't as good?"

"I always panic about that. The fact that people still talk about it the way they do, I would hate for any of us to go back and for any of us to be disappointed and it would be such a shame."

Check out what the cast of Footballers' Wives are up to now:

Zoe Lucker (Tanya Turner) then

Oh, how we longed to be as sassy and self-aware as Tanya Turner back in the day. She was just QUEEN of the WAGs, wasn't she?

Footballers' Wives is returning... Sort of
2 of 22

Zoe Lucker (Tanya Turner) now

Since the show's cancellation in 2006, Zoe's done pretty bloomin' well for herself in the world of TV. She's gone on to secure leading roles; including playing Vanessa Gold in EastEnders (2010-2011) and Reenie McQueen in Hollyoaks (2015). Zoe also finished tenth in the 2009 series of Strictly Come Dancing.

We can't wait!

Tune into Northern Ireland’s number 1 for music, Cool FM on 97.4FM, online, on our Rayo app, your DAB radio, or say ‘Play Cool FM’ on your Smart Speaker. We play you the biggest hits from the world’s hottest artists, from Pete Snodden in the morning to the NI Hit 40.