21 July 2023 , 11:17
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Frankie Bridge is set to make her West End debut in 2:22 A Ghost Story.
The Loose Women panelist, 33, will replace One Tree Hill actress Sophia Bush in the production after the American star withdrew from the show due to illness. The Saturdays singer follows in the footsteps of Lily Allen, Cheryl and former Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore in making her theatre debut in the spooky stage show.
On joining the 2:22 cast, Frankie said: "I’ve loved 2:22 A Ghost Story since I first saw it, so landing the role of Lauren is a total dream come true. Never one to do things by halves, it’s an honour to be making my West End debut on such a clever, suspense-filled production and I couldn’t be more excited to join the cast. Lauren is a joy to play with so many layers and emotions to explore. I can’t wait for you to meet her!"
Sophia, best known for her role as Brooke Davis in One Tree Hill, explained her reasons for ending her run on the show early in the same press release. She told fans: "I am truly gutted that my time in 2:22 A Ghost Story has come to an unexpected and early end. I came down with a virus in June and have not been able to bring my body back to a baseline.
Frankie Bridge has become the latest celebrity to sign up for a stint with 2:22 A Ghost Story"After weeks of being intermittently pulled off stage, visiting multiple doctors and spending a night in the Emergency Room, I’ve been advised by expert healthcare specialists that I needed to end my time on stage and be under the care of my doctors at home in the US.
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"I owe a debt of gratitude to my incredible cast mates and to every member of our extraordinary company, who became fast family. It means the world to me that so many fans traveled to London to see the show. If you’re booked for future nights, please still go and support my brilliant costars.
"They will blow you away! And I know that Frankie Bridge will be astounding as she makes Lauren her own through the rest of this run. There is no greater experience than the stage. I miss it madly. I love it deeply. And I cannot wait for the next one."
Frankie Bridge perform from August until the end of the run on 17 September. Jamie Winstone will continue to play the role of Jenny from with Clifford Samuel and Ricky Champ joining Ray Winstone's daughter and Frankie on stage for 2:22 A Ghost Story's current run.
Sophia is returning to America after being stuck down by illness (Bread and Butter PR)
She urged fans to purchase tickets to see Frankie replace her on stage2:22- A Ghost Story is written by award-winning writer Danny Robins, creator of the hit BBC podcast The Battersea Poltergeist, and is directed by Matthew Dunster. Cheryl, former EastEnders actor Jake Wood, Louise Ford and Scott Karim starred together in a run of the play until April 23rd, concluding a 14-week run at the Lyric Theatre.
The plot is centred around lead character Jenny, who believes her home is haunted despite her husband Sam doubting her fears. The bickering couple argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren and new partner Ben, before something strange and frightening makes its way into the room.
Cheryl surprised fans at the end of last year when she announced her debut acting job, after spending some time out of the spotlight following the birth of her first child. The star is thought to have earned £1,000 for every show she did - with a deal rumoured to be in place based on ticket sales which added to the Girls Aloud singer's pay cheque.
Other celebrities who have starred in the successful West End show include Lily Allen and Giovanna Fletcher. Lily's stint as Jenny in the award-winning supernatural thriller successfully launched the singer's acting career, with the mum-of-two currently starring in Sky comedy Dreamland and treading the boards once again in Martin McDonagh's legendary play The Pillowman.