Girls Aloud's Cheryl to make West End debut in 2:22 Ghost Story as she replaces Laura Whitmore

Girls Aloud’s Cheryl is set to make her West End debut next year as she announces her starring role in 2:22 Ghost Story, in a shock career change.

The former X Factor judge will play Jenny in the supernatural thriller from January to April 2023 after TV presenter Laura Whitmore finishes her stint in the show at the Lyric Theatre.

The supernatural story opened in London in summer 2021 with singer Lily Allen originally taking on the role of Jenny.

Other famous actors who have graced the 2:22 Ghost Story stage include Harry Potter’s Tom Felton and The Inbetweeners’ James Buckley, however Cheryl is set to perform alongside Horrible Histories’ actress Louise Ford and Hugo Chewin from People Just Do Nothing.

Cheryl said on Instagram: “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 and some entertainment in the new year, tickets are available now.”

The ‘Fight for this Love’ singer’s latest news comes five years after her last music release in 2018 which failed to reach the top of the charts.

Cheryl performed and released her comeback song ‘Love Made Me Do It’ on X Factor the same year, however the track only peaked at number 19 in the official charts before falling to number 48.

Not only did the song fall below Cheryl’s usual rates with her previous songs ‘Call My Name’ and ‘Crazy Stupid Love’ reaching top spot, but X Factor viewers branded her performance ‘embarrassing’ and ‘painful’.

Cheryl had previously said that if her 2018 song 'went in at 80' in the charts, she would move on from her life in music. Seemingly, Cheryl has swapped number 80 for 2:22 as she undertakes her new acting pursuit in the new year.