Denise van Outen to return to Chicago as Velma Kelly

Denise van Outen is to return to the West End and to Chicago, it has been announced.

Van Outen originally played Roxie Hart in the West End 2001 at the Adelphi Theatre and starred in the role on Broadway in 2002. That same year she returned to London and to the musical.

This year she takes on the role of Velma Kelly, the nightclub singer who is accused of murdering her husband and sister from 24 September until 17 November. She joins Alexandra Burke as Roxie Hart, Duncan James as Billy Flynn, Mazz Murray as Mama Morton and Paul Rider as Amos Hart.

Van Outen's other theatre credits include Tell Me on a Sunday, Legally Blonde and Rent. In 2012 she reached the final of Strictly Come Dancing.

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. with Martin Kemp replacing him in July. James takes over from 10 September. Read our review of the show's return here.