A TRIPLE Olympic medallist and three pop stars are preparing to take us back to the era of flares and kipper ties.

Gymnast Louis Smith MBE, who competed in Beijing, London and Rio De Janeiro, is one of the stars of Rip It Up The 70s, which comes to the Wyvern Theatre on Sunday September 22.

The cast also includes former S Club 7 member Rachel Stevens, former Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton and former member of Blue Lee Ryan.

Rachel, pictured left with Louis and Melody, said: “I am so excited to be joining the cast for Rip It UpH The 70s.

“Dancing has played such an important role in my life. Like Louis, Strictly was one of the best experiences of my life, so I’m really looking forward to being involved in such an amazing production.

“And what’s not to love about the music and fashion of the 70s? It’s going to be such fun.”

As far as music goes, the era is perhaps most associated with disco and glam rock, but it also gave the world punk, funk and the dawn of the New Wave movement as well as bringing reggae further into the mainstream than ever before.

The production covers the music of a decade which brought us albums such as as Let It Be, Dark Side of The Moon, Born to Run, Saturday Night Fever and Off the Wall.

The stars will sing and dance their way through some of the many songs which helped to define the period.

Louis, who brought a bronze medal and two silvers from his three Olympic Games, won Strictly with partner Flavia Cacace in 2012 and the show’s 2014 Christmas special with another partner, Aliona Vilani.

He has starred in two previous Rip It Up productions, covering the music of the 50s and 60s.

Louis said: “Every night during the Rip It Up tours, I tell people these shows are the hardest thing I have ever done - even harder than competing at the Olympics and Strictly.

“I’m not sure everyone believes me, but I’m telling the truth.

“But I love dancing and relish a challenge, so I am happy to be a part of the new Rip It Up The 70s show.

“I look forward to seeing everybody on the dance floor.”

Arizona-born Melody Thornton is also looking forward to the production.

She said: “Singing, dancing, 70s pop culture and fashions are lifelong fashions of mine, so I jumped at the chance to appear in Rip It Up The 70s.

“I’m excited to show UK audiences exactly what I can do - I can’t wait to be part of what is going to be the most exhilarating show and an amazing tour with such a mind-blowing soundtrack.”

Lee Ryan’s credits range from a Eurovision entry during his years with Blue to a well-received stint with EastEnders, is also a fan of 70s music and popular culture.

“I am truly delighted and excited to be joining this new cast for Rip It Up The 70s,” he said.

“I heard so much about the previous Rip It Up tours, as well as the show’s sell-out West End run, that the chance to sing so many classic 70s songs in this amazing new production is something I’m very much looking forward to.”

Rip It Up The 50s was staged in 2917 and Rip It Up The 60s last year, and between them were seen by more than 100,000 theatregoers.

Earlier this year, Rip It Up The 60s played to rave reviews for four months at the Garrick Theatre in London.

Tickets for the two Swindon performances of Rip It Up The 70s - there will be a 2.30pm matinee and a 7.30pm evening show - range in price from £27 to £44.

The Box Office can be contacted on 01793 524481 and via swindontheatres.co.uk