Educating Rita reprised her radio and Menier Chocolate Factory performance as Rita, and Frank was played by renowned actor Tim Pigott-Smith. Like the Willy Russell season at the Menier Chocolate Factory, the production ran in repertory alongside "Shirley Valentine" starring Meera Syal. A UK tour played in 2012, starring Claire Sweeney and Matthew Kelly as Rita and Frank respectively. A 35th anniversary production was staged at Liverpool Playhouse from 6 February to 7 March 2015, starring Leanne Best as Rita and Con O'Neill as Frank, directed by Gemma Bodinetz. The same year the Chichester Festival staged a production with Lenny Henry and
Educating Joey Essex he would like to do another series of "Educating Joey Essex" or a one-off special. Joey also said that there needs to be a reason to do another episode or series and at the moment there isn't but the series is still on his mind for a return. <onlyinclude></onlyinclude> Notes Three episodes of series one have been made available on Amazon Instant Video UK Educating Joey Essex Educating Joey Essex is a British television programme which began airing on ITV2 on 16 March 2014. The show features former "The Only Way Is Essex" star Joey Essex and is narrated by