Laura Tyrer joins West End cast of Chicago and her audition will be shown on TV

Laura Tyrer will join the West End production of Chicago, playing the role of Velma.

Tyrer won the role via an audition that will be shown as part of a new ITV series, The Big Audition, which is made by the producers of First Dates and follows the world of real-life auditions. Her previous credits include Matilda, Spamalot and most recently Ruthless!.

She joins a cast composed of Alexandra Burke as Roxie Hart, Duncan James as Billy Flynn, Mazz Murray as Mama Morton and Paul Rider as Amos Hart.

Denise van Outen was previously announced as taking the role but had to withdraw due to a heel injury, delaying her appearance in the production.

Kander and Ebb's Chicago returned to the West End in March this year. It originally opened in London in 1997 and ran for 15 years. Cuba Gooding Jr played Billy Flynn when the musical returned this year.