THE Coronation Street cobbles and curlers will be far behind when the soap stars shine on stage at a variety spectacular in Manchester next month.

Bolton's Andrew Whyment, the Street's dopey Kirk, will be one of 20 household names who will be revealing their other talents to raise money for the Variety Club of Great Britain's work with sick children.

Andrew, who used to be in a group called Notion, already has a profile as a musician away from the Granada set. But, he will be joining such likely luminaries as Liz Dawn (Vera Duckworth), Shobna Gulati (Sunita) and Malcolm Hebden (Norris Cole) at the Opera house on Sunday, April 18.

In fact, Bruce Jones (alias scallywag Les Battersby) suggested the event after a similar successful evening was held at Stockport Plaza last year. Then, as well as the star-studded cast, an illusionist conjured up surprise guest Peter Kay.

The charity's North-west development director Bob Carter said that the three-hour cabaret-style event would include music, comedy, dance and variety acts "a bit like the entertainment that we used to get on Sunday Night at the London Palladium", he explained.

It will be a night of family entertainment with a host of well-known names from the Street and elsewhere showing their array of talents.

"We are very grateful to stars like Bruce (who supported the tribute evening to Sam Allardyce at the Reebok recently) and everyone from Coronation Street," said Bob.

The whole show is being put together by Granada producer Peter Shaw, who was responsible for last year's event, and it will be hosted by comedian Johnnie Casson.

Paul Wild, chairman of the Bolton branch of the Variety Club said: "It will be a great opportunity to see our favourite TV personalities showing their diverse talents, and I hope lots of local people will go along to enjoy what promises to be a great evening."

Tickets for the event are from £17 and bookable by telephoning the Opera House on 0161 245 6666.