Rylan Clark-Neal joins Nativity! The Musical in London at the Eventim Apollo

Rylan Clark-Neal will star in Nativity! The Musical in London in December.

Joining Simon Lipkin in the hit musical, Clark-Neal made his name when he appeared on The X Factor in 2012, before going on to win Celebrity Big Brother in 2013. He has since had a stint of presenting gigs across UK TV channels.

He said: "I'm so excited to be joining the company of Nativity! The Musical. The Eventim Apollo is such an iconic London venue and I am thrilled that I will be performing to thousands of people as The Critic, which is such a terrific role. Alan Carr played it in the film and Jo Brand on stage last year, I have big shoes to fill but I can't wait to get started."

The show, which had its world premiere at the Birmimgham Repertory Theatre in 2017, will open for a new tour at the Wolverhampton Grand on 29 October 2019.

It will then tour to Aylesbury, Waterside Theatre from 6 to 9 November, Canterbury, Marlowe Theatre from 13 to 17 November, Wales Millennium Centre from 19 to 23 November, Theatre Royal, Plymouth from 26 to 30 November and Southampton, Mayflower Theatre from 3 to 7 December.

Clark-Neal will appear in the show at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith from 11 to 29 December.

The musical is adapted from the hit film, starring Martin Freeman and directed by Debbie Isitt. Isitt has written the musical version, which has music and lyrics by Nicky Ager and Isitt, choreography from Andrew Wright, design by David Woodhead, lighting design by Tim Mitchell, sound design by Tom Marshall and musical supervision and orchestrations by George Dyer.

Further casting is to be released at a later date.