Denise Van Outen, Liz White and Kenny Doughty star in the third episode in BBC One’s anthology of contemporary adaptations of classic fairy tales. In The Empress’s New Clothes, adapted by Debbie Horsfield (Cutting It, True Dare Kiss), a young couple move from their idyllic country home to a new town, changing their lives in ways they never imagined.

Shannon has been busy raising the couple’s two children and has started to feel frustrated with her life. Stuck at home, she regularly loses herself in her favourite soap, Empire State, and her favourite character, ruthless businesswoman Meredith McQueen.

Shannon’s husband, Jake, is the new chef at the local hip restaurant, Arbel’s, and she is stunned to find that her idol, Empire State actress Michaela Carr, is a regular there. Despite the controlling nature of Michaela’s entourage, Shannon and Michaela strike up an unlikely friendship.

When Michaela’s on- and off-screen rival, Shekeelia Shah, is rumoured to be attending the Silver Sphere Awards Ceremony that Michaela is going to, Michaela and her entourage are determined to outshine her. Michaela has to be wearing “the dress” and Shekeelia has to be red-carpet road kill.

Shannon spots Shekeelia sneaking into the new designer clothes emporium and informs Michaela and the entourage. She then hatches a plan to win an exclusive deal with the new designers. They will design “the dress” for Michaela and nobody else. What nobody realises is that the new “designers” are fakes who are selling market-stall items as designer one-offs. They’ve been had – but will any of these fashionistas be able to tell the difference?

Liz White plays Shannon, Kenny Doughty plays Jake and Denise Van Outen plays Michaela Carr.

Thursday 24 January
9.00-10.00pm BBC ONE