‘It’s my story, told my way... I can’t wait to share it with the people of Derby’

DES COLEMAN TELLS IT ALL, GOOD AND BAD, IN HIS NEW SHOW

- By EVA MILLETT

TV weatherman and EastEnders Des Coleman has announced a new showand it starts right here in his home city of Derby.

The production marks a return to theatre for Des, drawing on his performance background, engaging audiences through jazz music, swing music and storytelling. It opens at Derby Theatre on July 4.

“It feels like everything’s suddenly come together.” says Des. “I couldn’t have done this show without going through what I've been through... and the good thing about that is it’s all based around people having a great time, having fun when they come to see it and letting go.”

Backed by a 10-piece big band, the show blends swing classics with West End favourites, tracing Coleman’s remarkable journey from early jobs as a bin man and welder to a career in television and musical theatre.

The performance will explore key moments from his life, including time on EastEnders, surviving serious illness, and brushes with fame in Hollywood. Des draws on his experiences of working in the West End, attending Oscar parties, and recovering from life-threatening incidents.

“I've been doing musical theatre for years, in the West End and overseas.” says Des. “I just got to the stage where I thought ‘I’d love to do something that I think the people of Derby would enjoy.

“I wanted to do it for my Mum because she’s getting on a bit now. I wanted to do something where I could be the person that produced it. I've got a wonderful team of ten musicians, and the songs are linked to my life story.

“Going through drama school to the incidents of me going into Eastenders and what songs that I was listening to and singing then, me being in trouble with the police, what was happening then, from when I was born, the songs that were, around then, what reminded me of when I was a kid.”