ONE of Britain's best loved stars, Gillian Taylforth, is set to make her theatrical debut in a taut psychological thriller at Blackpool's Grand Theatre next month.

The ex-Eastender, who is best known for her portrayal of the beleaguered Kathy Mitchell in the top soap, will star opposite co-stars Gary Mavers (Peak Practice) and Julie Buckfield (Hollyoaks, Grange Hill) in the highly acclaimed Bad Blood.

She plays Vic - a 40-something yuppie - who, at first glance, seems to have everything her heart could desire.

Married to an equally successful businessman, Tom (Mavers), this golden couple breeze through life until it becomes clear that Vic is unable to produce a son and heir for her husband. The cracks in their marriage begin to show when Tom's sinister past catches up with him and the pair set off an escalating spiral of suspicion, greed and betrayal.

Directed by Roger Redfarn and produced by Ambassador Theatre Group in association with Theatre Royal Windsor and Churchill Theatre Bromley, Bad Blood comes from the writer of Killing Time, Richard Stockwell.

And is a rollercoaster ride of twists, turns and double crosses where no one is quite who they seem.

Bad blood runs from Monday, April 28 to Saturday, May 3

Tickets, priced from £10 (with concessions available), are on sale now from the Box Office, call 01253 290190.