Mandy and Myrtle: The Holden Girls cast with Leigh Francis, when is it on TV - and who plays Myrtle?

Britain’s Got Talent judge and TV presenter Amanda Holden has landed herself the leading role in a comedy-drama, based on her endearing relationship with her gran.

Holden has spoken fondly of her ‘nan,’  whom she appears to be incredibly close with.

In the upcoming series, Holden will play herself but her real nana won’t feature.

So, who will star in the ‘Mandy and Myrtle’ series and when will it be on TV? This is what you need to know.

What is Amanda Holden’s new show about?

Not much is known about the series currently, other than the plot is based on Myrtle being convinced by her celebrity granddaughter to move from her family home in Doncaster to live with Amanda in London.

The series will follow the pair as Holden navigates her relationship with her ‘difficult’ nan, while also coping with tabloid scandals and her nan’s attempt at dating.

50-year-old Amanda spoke about the series when she revealed it was in the works back in March, telling The Sun: “I’m delighted that everyone is finally going to meet my nan, the apple never falls far from my tree and in this series she will certainly be keeping me on my toes.”

The series has had a few working titles, including ‘No Holden Back’, the series has now been officially named ‘The Holden Girls: Mandy and Myrtle’.

Grandma Myrtle has said little of her involvement in the show, except to express her love of TV presenter Ben Shepherd.

“I have no comment, apart from I’m really hoping being on TV might mean I can finally meet my favourite young man, Ben Shephard,” she said in a statement.

Who stars in the cast?

While Holden previously teased that she was excited to share the small screen with her gran, a trailer for the show has confused fans and left many asking “why does Amanda’s nan look like Keith Lemon?”

Well, that’s because her ‘nan’ is in fact comedian and TV panel show host, Leigh Francis.

Now that Francis has revealed himself as a grey-haired, quick-witted pensioner, it has become apparent that the commissioned docu-series is actually a mockumentary and Amanda is the one being mocked.

The teaser clip, which Holden shared on Twitter on 1 September, also shows guest appearances from Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood and nan’s favourite presenter, GMB’s Ben Shepherd.

When is it on TV?

The eight-part series will be shown on E4 and available on All 4 soon, though producers have not revealed the premier date yet.

The British Comedy guide claims episodes one and two will debut on Tuesday 7th September 2021 at 10pm and 10.30pm.

Two episodes will be released weekly on a Tuesday for the subsequent three weeks, ending on Tuesday 28th September.

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