There has been a change in the casting of a hit play coming to the city next month.

Max George, best known as being in boyband The Wanted, has had to pull out of his role in The Syndicate which will be showing at Norwich Theatre Royal from April 30 until May 4.

George was set to make his stage debut as supermarket assistant Jamie, but "due to unforeseen medical reasons" will be replaced by Oliver Anthony.

It is now set to be a “real family affair,” as Anthony is the grandson of the late Kay Mellor, who wrote both the original TV series and the stage adaptation.

Norwich Evening News: Max George, who was due to play the role of Jamie, will be replaced by Kay Mellor's grandson Max George, who was due to play the role of Jamie, will be replaced by Kay Mellor's grandson (Image: Craig Sugden/PA Wire)

He will be joining his mother, Emmerdale and Coronation Street soap star Gaynor Faye, who makes her directorial debut directing her mother's play.

Mellor, whose other hit shows included ITV’s Girlfriends, Band of Gold and Fat Friends, died in May 2022.

The play, which is based on the first series of the BBC drama, The Syndicate, tells the story of five supermarket workers whose lottery syndicate numbers come in, just as their jobs and livelihoods are under threat.

Other stars included in the cast are Samantha Giles, who played Bernice Blackstock in Emmerdale, as Denise, and Brooke Vincent, who played Sophie Webster in Coronation Street, as Amy. 

Norwich Evening News: Gaynor Faye will be directing her late mother's stage version of The SyndicateGaynor Faye will be directing her late mother's stage version of The Syndicate (Image: Matt Crossick/PA Wire)

Gaynor Faye said: “The Syndicate is very close to my heart for so many reasons and it’s fitting that this production is a real family affair, as we welcome Oliver to the company too.

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Her son, Oliver Anthony, said: “Having acted in series four of The Syndicate TV show and worked with my grandmother, playing the role of Jamie in development workshops of the play, I’m chuffed to bits to be making my stage acting debut alongside my mum in my grandmother’s final play.

“This production is in honour of her and all she achieved and I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into the character of Jamie and hopefully doing her proud.”

Tickets can be purchased at norwichtheatre.org.