ITV Corrie stars past and present reunite to support Dame Maureen Lipman as she takes on role away from soap

There has been a fresh Coronation Street reunion as past and present stars of the ITV soap came together to show their support for Dame Maureen Lipman as she took on a role away from the cobbles.

Denise Welch, Angela Lonsdale, Jane Hazlegrove, and Sally Dynevor were all smiles as they posed with Maureen who is the star of a new play at the Hope Mill Theatre, titled Rose. The one-woman production is described as "a moving reminder of some of the harrowing events that shaped the century."

Dame Maureen takes on the role of Rose, a feisty Jewish woman retracing her story from the devastation of Nazi-ruled Europe to conquering the American dream. The show began in Manchester on Tuesday (August 30) but a special gala night was held on Friday (September 2) which was attended by a few of Maureen's soap star pals.

READ MORE: ITV Coronation Street fans 'feel sick' as Jenny kisses Stephen and 'work out' his next move

Denise, who played Natalie Horrocks in Corrie from 1997 to 2000, took to Instagram to share a snap of herself alongside Maureen and her former co-stars after watching her in the show.

"Tonight we saw an absolute masterclass in acting by @maureenlipmanuk @hopemilltheatre in the one woman play, Rose," the Loose Women panelist penned alongside the snap as she appeared in a bright orange ensemble for the occasion. " She is breathtaking & her performance is in turn funny and heartbreaking. Beautifully directed by @scottlecrass. It’s sold out but try and get on the cancellation list!!!" Denise went on.

She then added: "Here with her fan club, me, @sallydynevor @realangelalonsdale and Jane Hazelgrove," referring to the snap which showed Maureen, who is much-loved for playing Evelyn Plummer in Corrie, enjoying a glass of