THE life of Dudley's most famous son, Duncan Edwards, will be brought to life by a brand new stage play featuring a Hollywood star.

Keeping The Dream Alive... will tell the story of the fateful Munich air crash in which 23 people, including Duncan, lost their lives in 1958.

The play, produced by the founder of the Duncan Edwards Foundation Rose Cook-Monk, will be performed in Dudley, Manchester and Munich in 2020 and will star Hollywood actor Bernard Hill.

Hill is best known for roles in Titanic, Lord of the Rings and Wolf Hall.

The production has already been backed by Duncan's family; footballing stars including Sir Bobby Charlton and the family of Jimmy Murphy, the assistant manager of Manchester United who held the team together after the tragedy.

Rose, who has spent over 20 years researching Duncan's life, says she now regards the footballer as a 'friend, not a subject' and hopes her work will ensure he is never forgotten.

Rose explained: “When Sarah [Duncan's mother] was nearing the end, one of her greatest fears was that Duncan’s memory would fade with her. I assured her that it wouldn’t and that’s partly what this play is all about. Keeping his legacy alive for the next generation and introducing a whole new audience - maybe one that’s never considered the theatre - to the medium of live performance.”

Duncan Edwards’ second cousin Dusky Edwards, added: “Keeping The Dream Alive… is wonderful production paying tribute to Duncan, his teammates and those affected by the Munich air crash. It’s been so beautifully written - there are moments of humour but it is also a tear jerker. A superb tribute to our beloved cousin.”

The play officially launched on October 1, the day Duncan should have celebrated his 83rd birthday.