A NEW stage version of the smash hit romcom When Harry Met Sally screams its way into town next week, starring Coronation Street’s Rupert Hill as Harry and Sarah Jayne Dunn of Hollyoaks fame as Sally.

Rupert, who played Jamie Baldwin in the ITV soap, was born in Southampton and grew up in Warsash and Hamble and is looking forward to returning to the south coast when the show opens at The Mayflower on Monday.

He told Scene South: It’s going to be strange, but I’m really looking forward to coming down and staying with my mum and dad. Rupert’s proximity to his childhood home means he will be joined by his partner, former Corrie star Jenny Platt, and their new baby Matilda, born last month, for the stint in Southampton.

The pair announced they were expecting a baby on Twitter, shortly before appearing in pantomime in Poole at Christmas.

The week-long run means 31-year-old Rupert can concentrate on his new role as a dad as well as the show.

“It’s the part of the tour I’m most looking forward to and it will be great to be back. But it’s just been going brilliantly so far and has been very well received.

“We’re really enjoying ourselves and Sarah Jayne Dunn (who takes Meg Ryan’s famed role in the stage production) and I have really hit it off.

“We were both big fans of the film when we were younger, but I haven’t seen it for many years. I’ve been careful not to watch it as I don’t want to find myself with Billy Crystal’s nuances. I want to make the role my own and although he was brilliant I’ve been steering clear of watching him.”

When Harry Met Sally spans a dozen years – the tale of two New Yorkers and the friendship that develops between them as they date (other people rather than one another!) and share the trials and tribulations of relationships.

• The show is at The Mayflower from Monday to Saturday. Tickets: 023 8071 1811 or visit mayflower.org.uk.