The Full Monty become a huge Hollywood hit when it was released 25 years ago – with lots of soap stars stepping to the character’s shoes for a theatre production based on the legendary comedy.
Fans have been sent wild as their favourite soap icons have stripped off on stage, including Hollyoaks’ Gary Lucy.
With stars including Emmerdale’s Bill Ward, EastEnders Danny Hatchard and reality TV’s Jake Quickenden treading the boards in 2023 for a new tour, temperatures are set to soar once more.
READ MORE: Full Monty stars reunite 25 years later to strip again for new TV spin-off series
Here, Daily Star takes a look at some of the soap stars who have stripped off in the past for The Full Monty tour – and those who will be doing so in the future.
Gary Lucy (Hollyoaks)
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
Gary Lucy was a fan favourite on Hollyoaks between 1999 to 2022, but during this time he also had a few other acting stints too.
This included touring with The Full Monty stage production in 2016, along with appearing in The Bill and Footballer’s Wives.
Away from the limelight, Gary has been linked to a number of huge stars including Liberty X’s Michelle Heaton and EastEnders icon Michelle Ryan.
(Image: LIME PICTURES)
However, he fell in love with ex-wife Natasha in 2004 and the couple wed 10 years later, welcoming four children called India, Elvis, Sadie and Theodore.
After four years of marriage, the couple sadly parted ways and confirmed their split in a statement, saying: “It is with great sadness that we announce the end of our marriage.
“This was a very difficult decision, but was reached mutually and amicably. No other parties are involved.”
(Image: WireImage)
Following his divorce, Gary appeared on Channel 4’s Celebs Go Dating in 2022 where he struck up a relationship with Love Island’s Laura Anderson.
One year later they revealed that they were expecting their first child together.
During their relationship, Gary found himself in a horror crash on Boxing Day 2022 and shared images of his destroyed Range Rover on Instagram alongside the captions: “Gary 9 lives,” and “Someone was watching over me today.”
However, Gary and Laura have since announced that they have split up and speaking to The Sun on Sunday, Gary revealed he will never stop loving Laura, saying: “It’s been really hard and I’m devastated it’s over romantically. I think the world of her.”
He continued: “Laura did want me to move but I have my responsibilities here. I have four kids and all the things that go along with that so it’s very difficult, if not impossible, to uproot at this time.”
Gary added: “I’m really gutted. I haven’t stopped loving her and I won’t stop loving her.”
Chris Fountain (Coronation Street & Hollyoaks)
(Image: Daily Record)
Hollyoaks and Coronation Street alumni Chris Fountain joined Gary Lucy on the 2014 UK tour of The Full Monty.
Chris stepped onto the cobbles in 2011 as mechanic Tommy Duckworth – but his time on the soap came to an end in 2013 when a video of him dressed as a masked rapper called The Phantom showed the star speaking obscene and offensive lyrics.
ITV bosses immediately sacked the actor, with Chris Fountain later releasing a statement apologising for his actions, saying: “I would like to sincerely apologise for any offence I have caused.
(Image: ITV)
“I am deeply ashamed by the lyrics and very much regret my behaviour.”
Chris has since addressed the video during an interview with podcast Mancs on the Mic, hosted by Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas and his brothers Scott and Adam.
After the video resurfaced, Chris explained: “My life, my job, my image, my reputation – everything was just ripped away within 24 hours. I didn’t leave my house for four days.”
(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Str)
He continued: “I was meant to go on This Morning and then that got cancelled because they didn’t want me on there. Then I parted ways with my agent. Then there was no work.
He added: “Then it got to a point where this isn’t just sadness now. This is something else. My whole body is f*****. My head just feels like a swamp. Even to this day now, I don’t think I’m the same person now that I was before.”
Three years after his Coronation Street exit, Chris appeared in a touring production of The Full Monty – where he stripped off alongside stars including fellow Hollyoaks alumni Gary Lucy.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
In 2022, Chris also revealed he “could have died” after suffering a mini-stroke that left him unable to speak properly.
The actor said he was terrified when he woke up one morning in August unable to articulate well and spent five days in The Royal London Hospital where doctors diagnosed a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) after finding a blood clot in his brain.
Chris’ blood clot was reportedly caused by an undiagnosed hole in his heart, which will require a small operation to repair.
Bill Ward (Coronation Street & Emmerdale)
(Image: @FullMontyPlay / twitter)
Bill Ward is one of the latest stars to join The Full Monty, as he prepares to head out on the road for the 2023 UK theatre tour.
Bill starred as James Barton in Emmerdale between 2013 to 2017, as well as playing Charlie Stubbs in Coronation Street between 2003 to 2007.
Although he has continued to act since leaving both soaps, including stints in After Life, Casualty and most recently ITV’s Vera, the star has also had a number of jobs away from our TV screens.
During the Coronavirus pandemic, Bill was supposed to be touring the country with The Glee Club, but when events were postponed he took up a job as a Tesco delivery driver.
“Towards the end of May it started to become clear that the pandemic wasn’t going away. And if anything it was going to get worse,” Bill told Bristol Live.
(Image: ITV)
“That’s when you look at the rest of the year ahead and think, ‘Okay, I need to make a living this year; how are we going to do that as a family?’
He has since returned to acting, but also indulges in another of his passions – photography.
The talented photographer is self-taught, but has since had his work exhibited at venues such as The Contemporary Six Gallery in Manchester, Webbs Fine Art Gallery in London and The Tabernacle in Notting Hill.
Danny Hatchard (EastEnders)
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes)
Danny Hatchard will join Bill Ward and reality TV star Jake Quickenden for The Full Monty tour 2023.
He made his soap debut playing Lee Carter, the son of Mick and Linda Carter, in EastEnders between 2014 to 2017, before returning for stints between 2019 to 2020.
Speaking to Daily Star at the Daily Mirror’s People’s Pet Awards, Danny revealed the biggest challenge he faced on the soap set – and how he has taken this experience onto the stage with him.
(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
He said: “You really have to think on your feet, you know? The only time that you really have to do that is probably on stage. It’s quite similar to stage really, because things are moving so quickly.
“You may get to run it [back] once or twice and then you have to nail it otherwise you’ll run behind, and then we’ll have to pick it up on another day.”
Away from the limelight, Danny tends to keep his personal life private, but The Sun reported in 2022 that he was loved up with his girlfriend Kerry Scouler.
In a sweet Instagram snap, he could be seen cuddling her on Valentines Day as he captioned themselves: “The A Team.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
