Claire Sweeney will explore the mysteries of men, dating, finding Mr Right, and motherhood with audiences at the Wycombe Swan next week.

The actress, who is perhaps best known for playing Lindsey Corkhill in Brookside, stars as a relationship expert on Penny Crowe’s late-night radio phone-in show in Sex in Suburbia.

As Britain’s leading Agony Aunt, Penny takes calls about every date from hell and the occasional one from heaven.

The show is packed with raunchy storylines and set to a backdrop of sensational musical anthems like I’m Every Woman, I Want to Break Free and Somebody Else’s Guy.

“It’s a very funny and honest look at relationships” said Claire.

“People talk about their problems and they come to life on the stage it’s just so funny. The show is based on a lot of my friends’ real life stories.

The hilarious show also stars Carl Patrick as he acts out the nightmare dating scenarios and problems that listeners call in with, including a footie fan who would rather watch the game than get intimate and karate chopping kids.

“I think people find it funny because they can relate to them. Everyone can relate to at least one character in the show.” 

And despite what you might think, Claire is adamant that men enjoy the show just as much as women.

“People just come to have a laugh. Women were coming along with their husbands and then we noticed their husbands were coming back again with their friends! It definitely appeals to everyone.”

The 44-year-old co-wrote the show with Mandy Muden and admits that bringing their idea to the stage was tricky.

“It’s been a very long and difficult process getting it on the stage. It was very different to anything I have ever experienced before in my life. There’s been driving, lots of driving and sound checks!

“Obviously there’s a lot less pressure if you’re performing in a show you haven’t written, but I'm very proud of it.

“It’s great to actually see it on the stage but it has been hard work, so I'm not sure if I’ll do something like this again for a while.”

As well as acting on the stage, the busy star juggles being a mum to seven-month old son Jaxon and hosting a new radio show.

It is hard work being a mum and touring, but [Jaxon] stays with me while I'm on tour. As long as I've got him with me it’s alright, we’re together all day usually.

“And I have a new show on Magic FM. It’s a musical theatre show and I get spend my time playing show tunes and interview West End stars. How amazing is that?”

The actress, who has featured on stage in Chicago, Guys and Dolls, Educating Rita and September in the Rain, says she knew she wanted to go into acting when she was 11 and admits the highlight of her career so far was performing opposite the late Patrick Swayze.

“Doing Guys and Dolls alongside Patrick Swayze, that was incredible. It was absolutely amazing to work so closely with such a talented actor like Patrick. I'm so lucky to have worked with him.”  

And despite starring on stage hundreds of times, Claire loves this tour mostly because she can interact with the audience, who are invited on stage to share their own relationship experiences and rewarded with an Ann Summers goody bag.

“I have done so many musicals now but this one is a little bit different.  I love being able to enjoy the audience interaction and every night the audience getting involved.

“If you want a great laugh and a good night out, then you should come along to the show. There’s lots of laughter, it’s a bloody good night out.”

Sex in Suburbia comes to the Wycombe Swan on 5 May. Tickets range from £20 to £23, available online at www.wycombeswan.co.uk or by calling the ticket office on 01494 512 000.