Further casting announced for X Factor musical I Can't Sing!

Full principal casting has been announced for I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical, which premieres at the London Palladium in March.

As previously announced, WhatsOnStage Award-winner Nigel Harman will play X Factor supremo Simon, with Cynthia Erivo, currently nominated for a WhatsOnStage Award for The Color Purple, and Alan Morrissey as lovestruck contestants Chenice and Max.

Erivo and Harman both took part in Friday's launch of the 2014 WhatsOnStage Awards – click here to watch video highlights.

Joining Harman on the judging panel will be Ashley Knight as the "ever-positive" boyband manager Louis, and Victoria Elliot as "pop queen" Jordy.

Simon Bailey (The Phantom of the Opera) will play "overly affectionate" X Factor host Liam O’Deary, with Billy Carter as "executive producer and Simon’s right hand man", Gerard Smalls.

I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical is written by comedian Harry Hill, with music by Steve Brown. It opens at the London Palladium on 26 March 2014 (previews from 27 February).

Hill said of the casting, "I’m thrilled with the acting company we have on board – and it’s a coup to have Nigel Harman as Simon. He was so funny in Shrek the Musical – not so much in Downton. With the wig and teeth he looks more like Simon, than Simon."

The cast performed a medley of the songs from I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical during this year's Royal Variety Performance, which will be broadcast on ITV1 tonight (9 December) from 7.30pm.