Mel Giedroyc thought David Nicholls hated her in Starter for Ten

EntertainmentMusic
22 Aug 2025 • 7:41 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Mel Giedroyc, the actor and presenter, stars in the musical adaptation of David Nicholls' debut novel, Starter for Ten.
  • Giedroyc initially feared author David Nicholls disliked her performance during rehearsals, but he was actually moved to tears by the show.
  • The musical, based on Nicholls' bestselling novel and the 2006 film, is a coming-of-age story with an Eighties-inspired score that took 12 years to develop.
  • Starter for Ten premiered at the Bristol Old Vic in February 2024 and was nominated for Best Musical Production at the UK Theatre Awards.
  • The production is set to return to the Bristol Old Vic in September for a month-long run before moving to The Rep theatre in Birmingham.

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