Samantha Barks to star in Bend It Like Beckham musical?

Could Samantha Barks be set to star in an upcoming musical version of the hit 2002 film Bend It Like Beckham?

She was among the musical theatre stars taking part in a 'development workshop' of the show, which is penned by Love Story composer Howard Goodall and lyricist Charles Hart, last week, according to the Daily Mail.

Also taking part in the workshop, which was directed by the film's director Gurinder Chadha, was newcomer Tara Divina as well as Frances Ruffelle, Shobna Gulati, Preeya Kalidas and Richard Fleeshman.

The long-talked about production is being kept as much as possible under wraps, with actors taking part in the workshop told not to talk or tweet about their participation.

Bend it Like Beckham, which starred Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys Myers and Parminder Nagra, centres on the daughter of orthodox Sikh parents who has ambitions to be a footballer.

The score and book of the show are still being worked on, and a choreographic workshop will be held before the end of the year, with hopes that the show will reach the West End in late 2014 or early 2015.