RUGBY favourites James Haskell and Mike Tindall are coming to Southend with their podcast show The Good, The Bad and The Rugby.

The tour is being turned into a live stage show which will stop at the Cliffs Pavilion in June.

Joining the players is their podcast co-host and former Sky Sports’ rugby presenter Alex Payne.

It is the first ever outing for the hit podcast which, since launching in summer 2020, has grown to become the UK’s top sporting podcast, with more than 3million listeners and 20million plus viewers online.

The trio will take to the stage to recreate the trademark banter they have on air, as they share tales from on and off the pitch for what promises to be a night filled with surprises and laughter.

Talking about how his favourite thing about the podcast show and how it translate onto the stage, James Haskell said: "For us, it’s a rugby podcast that doesn’t talk about rugby… It’s about the people and the stories behind the scenes and the worlds we live in, giving people a look at worlds they wouldn’t have seen before.

"The whole idea is that it’s entertainment, stories, details, previously unheard anecdotes and humour.

"Although it has rugby at the core, it’s not necessarily a podcast for people who love rugby.

"I’m probably the most used to it [being on stage] from the three of us - doing my own tour shows, stand-up, speaking events, DJing, I’ve done a lot of ‘stage’ type work solo since retiring.

"Whereas, with playing rugby you’re on a team, the crowds are fun and you know you’re not on your own.

"Actually, a theatre-type audience is where I’m now most happy and comfortable.

"If I’m invited to a dinner, I hate just being a guest - I find the schmoozing and small talk awkward, and I won’t go if I’m not actually doing something."

He added: "It’s exciting to get out and meet fans and to visit places I haven’t been to before, whether they’re the actual tour cities or places we’ll stop off at on the way.

"I love the podcast and the guys, and I love getting out there, so a tour is perfect for me."

The Good, The Bad and The Rugby hits the stage at the venue in Station Road, on Wednesday June 1 at 8pm.

Tickets are £40, £43.50 and £105 for VIPs available from southendtheatres.org.uk