Brian Beacom

THERE will be an essence of Billy Connolly on the King’s Theatre stage this week with the arrival of Shirley Valentine.

How so? The star of the play Jodie Prenger says writer Willy Russell was heavily influenced by the Scots comedian.

“I think this play really has Scots origins,” says the singer-turned-actress.

“Willy Russell has spoken of how he loved watching Billy Connolly perform and he studied how Billy constructed his stories.

“What Billy’s tales are based upon is an absolute honest, they are incredibly natural and of course tied in with a real dark comedy.

“And you don’t get much more honest a character than Shirley Valentine.”

Willy Russell’s one -woman play featuring the love-lacking housewife fed-up with her boring husband and his egg and chips demands was first performed 30 years ago.

But Jodie, who rose to fame in 2008 when she won reality show I’d Do Anything, going on to play Nancy in Oliver! in the west end, says the play still resonates today.

“There are still women out there with dreams and aspirations who still wonder whether she should make that leap of faith.

“I think it’s a play that either makes you want to hug your family and be thankful or go off and book a Greek holiday.”

She laughs; “Perhaps I should have shares in Thomsons. But perhaps marriages are saved when men see the play, and realise where they’re going wrong.”

Jodie doesn’t see much of herself in Shirley.

“I’ve been married seven years now,” she says, “and I don’t have an itch yet. The man I have now is lovely.”

Blackpool-born Jodie admits she has served her time in the build up to landing this iconic role.

Over the years she worked in the Northern clubs and on cruise liners.

“I once did a gig for wardens in a prison and had to get changed in a cell. But you’ve got to graft.

“I didn’t want to be like so many people these days, famous for doing nothing.”

She adds, grinning; “I honestly think this is the role I’m proudest of in my entire career.

“This is real. This is eggs on chips being cooked and smelt on stage. “This is the sort of play Glasgow will really understand.”

*Shirley Valentine, the King’s Theatre, until Saturday.