Tim Howar to lead cast of The Phantom of the Opera in the West End

Tim Howar will play the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera as new casting has been announced for the show.

Taking over the role from Ben Lewis, Howar was last seen on stage in the West End production of Chess in the West End, alongside Michael Ball.

Also joining the show are Kimberly Blake (Aspects of Love) as Carlotta and Ross Dawes (The Rink) as Monsieur Firmin.

Kelly Mathieson, Jeremy Taylor, Amy Manford, Mark Oxtoby, Jacinta Mulcahy, Paul Ettore Tabone, Georgia Ware and Scott Davies will continue in their roles for the coming year.

Producer Cameron Mackintosh said of Howar's casting: "Tim Howar's exciting vocal take on the iconic score of the Phantom brings a contemporary fresh approach to this legendary role which blew us away at his audition."

The cast is completed by Matthew Barrow, Matt Bateman, James Bisp, James Butcher, Bridget Costello, Sophie Cottrill, Hadrian Delacey, Morven Douglas, Paul Erbs, Hannah Grace, Philip Griffiths, Katy Hanna, Hettie Hobbs, Grace Horne, Lily Howes, Ellen Jackson, Adam Robert Lewis, Kris Manuel, Tim Morgan, Danielle Pullum, Rebecca Ridout, Anna Shircliff, Emily Smith, Rachel Spurrell, John Stacey, Andrei Teodor Iliescu, Claire Tilling, Victoria Ward and Danny Whitehead.

The new cast will have their first performance on 3 September, with Howar currently scheduled to be in the role until 8 December.