Neighbours star Madge saves the show by joining the cast of the Calendar Girls

FOR a moment they feared that the show would not be able to go on.

UP FOR IT: Jean Boht, second right, was forced to pull out with only days to go, but Anne Charleston, below, agreed to fill in for her

The world-famous Calendar Girls were left feeling more exposed than usual last week when a key member of the cast was forced to drop out at the last minute, just days before the show was due to open in Edinburgh.

Staff at the King's Theatre feared that the ladies would not get to bare their bums and tums next Monday when actress Jean Boht, star of Bread, had to leave her role as retired schoolteacher Jessie, due to personal reasons.

Luckily they had no need to get their knickers in a twist after Anne Charleston, also known to soap fans as Madge from Neighbours, agreed to drop all her plans - and her drawers - to star in the two-week run.

Although Ms Charleston played the character three months ago, she had almost no time to get back into the role after receiving the frantic call from the show's producer asking if she'd strip for a second round.

Ms Charleston, who was relaxing at home in Galway, Ireland, jumped onto the next plane and started re-learning the lines.

Calendar Girls publicist Phillip Lee said: "Anne was at home when she was asked to return to the production on Monday this week. It's fair to say that it was a quick turnaround.

"It was definitely a surprise for her to be asked back, but when I spoke to her she said that she was having a great time and was looking forward to Edinburgh.

"Anne spent all day rehearsing with the cast on Tuesday. Although the script stays the same, the show varies slightly with each different cast so Anne spent the day working with the cast.

"She spent the journey from Galway brushing up on the script so was ready to jump straight back into things."

Ms Charleston is set to remain in the show until October 2, when a complete cast changeover will occur.

She said: "When I was initially asked to do the show I said yes without being sure about how much flesh would be on display. So I went to see a performance. Everybody in the audience was really enjoying it and actually I don't think that exposing the flesh has anything to do with it.

"A lot of people come to Calendar Girls to celebrate the spirit of sisterhood that is so evident in the play. I'm really excited to be back and to be doing it with a completely new set of Calendar Girls."

The performance returns to Edinburgh after a sell-out run at the King's Theatre in 2008.

A spokeswoman for the theatre said: "We are delighted that Anne Charleston will be joining the cast of Calendar Girls.

"Best known to millions as Madge from Neighbours, Anne is no stranger to the show, having starred in the show for three months earlier this year. The current cast, which includes Elaine C Smith, Denise Black, Jennifer Ellison, Julia Hills, Rachel Lumberg and Ruth Madoc are delighted to welcome Anne back to the fold."

She added: "Anne replaces Jean Boht, who has left the production due to personal reasons."

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