‘Oh my Gaad’: Celeb friends thrilled as Cheryl confirms surprise career change

Celebrity friends and fans alike are thrilled this morning as Geordie heartthrob Cheryl confirmed a surprise career change for next year.

The former Girls Aloud star will take up residence on the West End stage to play the role of Jenny in 2:22 A Ghost Story from January to April next year, a challenge that the singer has called "a totally new and exciting experience for me".

The news was confirmed on Wednesday morning and Cheryl will replace ex-Love Island host Laura Whitmore in the role. Writing on social media, the Newcastle star said: "Hey!!! .. I am SO excited to be starring in the west end thriller 2:22 A Ghost Story !! I will be playing the role of Jenny from January - April! I went to see the show with a previous cast and LOVED IT !

"It is a totally new and exciting experience for me so if you're looking for a fun night out & some entertainment in your new year tickets are available now.... whenever you're ready !!"

It's fair to say that reaction online has been overwhelmingly positive with theatre-goers rushing to snap up their tickets. Cheryl also received messages of support from fellow celebrities, who praised the star for taking on the new challenge.

2:22 A Ghost Story star and former Queen of the I'm a Celeb jungle Giovanna Fletcher wrote: "Whoooooop!!! A fresh Jenny dance! Welcome to the family."

Todrick Hall also shared his excitement, confirming he would be there, whilst Rylan wrote "OH MY GAAD". Fellow Girls Aloud star Kimberly Walsh also said she couldn't wait and singer Pixie Lott, as well as RuPaul's Drag Queen star Cheryl Hole, also shared elated messages.

Laura Whitmore, who Cheryl will replace, commented: "It's the best!!! You're going to love it."

Cheryl hasn't released new music since single 'Let You' in 2019 but has been busy as a judge on The Greatest Dancer and as a podcaster for the BBC. Producer Naughty Boy recently admitted that the Geordie singer has enough unreleased material for a new album when she is "ready to release it".

The star has also reunited with Girls Aloud stars to raise money for Cancer Research after the tragic passing of Sarah Harding. In doing so, Cheryl shared that she felt a spiritual connection with her former bandmate.

In Harding's book Hear Me Out, the 'Fight for this Love' singer gave her mate permission to come back and visit her, as long as it wasn't on the loo. Enthusiastically, Cheryl responded that the spirit of Harding had indeed been back to visit - and performed a much-needed act of DIY too.

She said: "I got into the car, I was driving to Newcastle last year. For weeks I'd been fiddling on with my car to get the Bluetooth working and I couldn't and I was infuriated with it, I gave up.

"I let it go for a couple of months. I got into my car and 'Hear Me Out' [a Girls Aloud song] was playing. My phone wasn't on, the music hadn't been fiddled with, nothing. It was playing through the bluetooth. I laughed and then I cried. What did she [Sarah Harding] name the book after? Hear Me Out."

You can get tickets for 2:22 A Ghost Story in London here.