Matt Cardle to take over from Will Young in Strictly Ballroom
© Matt Crockett
X Factor winner Matt Cardle is to take over from Will Young in the West End production of Strictly Ballroom.
Cardle, who starred in the West End production of Memphis in 2015, will join the production as band leader Wally Strand from 31 July.
On the news, Cardle said: "It's so rare that a role comes around that you can put so much of your own stamp on. I have seen the show and it's absolutely incredible. Baz Luhrmann is an utter genius, as is Drew McOnie. To have the opportunity to sing all these huge songs every night is a real honour."
Directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie (In the Heights, Jesus Christ Superstar), the production stars Zizi Strallen as Fran and Jonny Labey as Scott.
In her four-star review for WhatsOnStage, Sarah Crompton praised McOnie's 'sensational and inventive' choreography.
Based on Lurhmann's 1992 film of the same name, the show has a book by Luhrmann and Craig Pearce. It features the film's iconic songs including "Love is in the Air", "Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps" and "Time After Time".
