BOLTON actors have been announced to take part in a celebration of William Shakespeare's work — 400 years after the Bard's death.

The BBC has announced its first ever Shakespeare Festival to be held in April, which will feature Ian McKellen taking part in Shakespeare Live!, alongside Dame Judi Dench, Joseph Fiennes, and the English National Opera.

The performance will be broadcast on BBC Two live from the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford.

Bolton actress Diane Morgan will appear in Cunk on Shakespeare, reprising her role as comedy character Philomena Cunk from the satirical show Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe.

In addition, Maxine Peake was previously announced to take the lead role in a star studded new adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The Shameless and Silk star will play fairy queen Titania in a 90-minute adaptation of the classic Shakespeare play, which will be screened on BBC One.

Other highlights of the celebration include the world premiere of new work by poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, and BBC Two show The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses, featuring Benedict Cumberbatch and Dame Judi Dench.

Tony Hall, director general of the BBC, said: "Shakespeare’s in our DNA. For 90 years, we’ve been broadcasting his works to successive generations, but we’ve never done anything as daring, as adventurous as we’re doing now.

"This year, we’re bringing to life my vision of what the BBC’s about — using all our services to make Shakespeare irresistible to everybody. And joining with some of our country’s greatest institutions to bring their creativity to millions here and across the globe."

Gregory Doran, artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, added: “Shakespeare is for everyone, so we want as many people as possible to have a chance to experience his work this year. We are thrilled to collaborate with the BBC in a fantastic initiative to bring Shakespeare's legacy to audiences all over the UK, including work direct from the RSC's theatres in his home town."