Strictly's Joe McFadden and Donna Air set to join Stacey Dooley and James Buckley in thriller 2:22 A Ghost Story at West End's Gielgud Theatre - to replace Sheridan Smith's axed show
Joe McFadden and Donna Air will return to the West End as Sam and Lauren in award-winning play, 2:22 Ghost Story - as it replaces Sheridan Smith's axed Opening Night show.
Strictly Come Dancing star Joe, 48, has been announced as the latest celeb to star in the popular play, in roles previously played by Hadley Fraser and Tom Felton.
Joe said: 'I'm really stoked to be returning to the West End in this much-loved, hit show and its latest production at the Gielgud Theatre with this fantastic cast.
'It's a beautifully crafted script that has plenty of scares and is hilarious in places and I can't wait to see what audiences make of our version.'
Hadley was the first to take on the role of Sam when the West End play opened in the summer of 2021.
Strictly's Joe McFadden, (pictured) and Donna Air set to join Stacey Dooley and James Buckley in thriller 2:22 A Ghost Story at West End's Gielgud Theatre
Joe- who won Strictly in 2017 with pro dancer Katya Jones - will be acting alongside The Mummy Returns star Donna, who is taking on the role of Lauren
The play follows main character Jenny (Stacey Dooley), who believes her new home is haunted but her husband Sam (Joe) remains skeptical.
They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren (Donna) and new partner Ben (James Buckley) and decide to stay awake until 2.22am to discover the truth
Donna said: 'I'm so excited to be playing the role of Lauren in one of my favourite plays in the West End - 2.22. I'm looking forward to getting back on stage and seeing you all there!'
Written by award-winning writer Danny Robins, creator of the hit BBC podcast The Battersea Poltergeist, and directed by Matthew Dunster and Isabel Marr, 2:22 is an adrenaline-filled night where secrets emerge and ghosts may, or may not, appear.
Stacey is making her West End debut as Jenny the in award-winning play.
The Strictly Come Dancing star, 37, was announced as the new lead in the popular play on Wednesday.
She will take over the part of Jenny, which as previously been played by Cheryl and Laura Whitmore.
The play follows Jenny (Stacey Dooley), who believes her new home is haunted but her husband Sam (Joe) remains skeptical. They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren (Donna) and new partner Ben (James Buckley) and decide to stay awake until 2.22am to discover the truth
Stacey is making her West End debut as Jenny in award-winning play, 2:22 Ghost Story
Stacey is acting alongside Inbetweeners star James, who is taking on the role of Ben
Stacey excitedly said: 'Delighted to be involved in the next adaptation of 2:22! Made up! I fell for the play when I went to watch it in 2022.
'All 4 characters feel so familiar, which means the subtle 'ghost story' just works so brilliantly. Can't wait to bring Jenny back to life! Let's go!'
Lily Allen was the first to take on the role of Jenny and earned rave reviews and a Best Actress nomination at the Olivier Awards.
Other notable names who have appeared in the show in its various locations include Stephanie Beatriz, Giovanna Fletcher, Tom Felton, Mandip Gill and Matt Willis.
The play follows Jenny, who believes her new home is haunted but her husband Sam remains skeptical.
They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren and new partner Ben and decide to stay awake until 2.22am to discover the truth.
Stacey - who won Strictly in 2018 with her now husband Kevin Clifton - will be acting alongside Inbetweeners star James, who is taking on the role of Ben.
James added: 'I'm so excited to be rejoining the cast of 2.22. It's such a brilliant play and to be back in such a brilliant theatre.
'It will be great to be play Ben again and now all I need to do is make sure I remember the lines. Can't wait to see everyone there'.
Lily Allen was the first to take on the role of Jenny when the West End play opened in the summer of 2021. The singer earned rave reviews and an Olivier nomination
Sheridan Smith's Opening Night will now end its run at the Gielgud Theatre in London on Saturday May 18, two months earlier than originally planned on July 27
It will be running for a strictly limited 10-week season at the Gielgud Theatre, after it was revealed Sheridan Smith's West End show Opening Night will finish two months earlier than planned due to terrible reviews.
Sheridan's show has been plagued with issues, including audience members walking out midway through and blasting it as 'boring', resulting in its run being shortened by two months.
The show will now end its run at the Gielgud Theatre in London on Saturday May 18, two months earlier than originally planned on July 27 - as producers blamed a 'challenging financial landscape' for the shock decision.
Announcing the news earlier this month, the production team said that the play 'may not have had the life we had hoped for'.
This means the current UK and Ireland tour of the show continues through to August, meaning 2:22 will be running concurrently in Manchester, then Dublin and London.
Tickets went on general sale for the new shows on April 24.
