Samantha Womack, a former EastEnders actor who battled cancer last year, has announced her next employment.
Later this year, the Ronnie Mitchell actress will appear on stage in a travelling version of the legendary musical 42nd Street.
The play centres on young Peggy Sawyer, who dreams of stardom and flees her sleepy hometown for Broadway’s glittering lights.
Sam will take on the part of Dorothy Brock, a veteran Broadway star who has outlived her usefulness and is infamous for her lack of dancing talent.
There are many well-known people in this group of seasoned professionals, including two more former soap opera stars.
Infamous director Julian Marsh will be portrayed by Michael Praed, who played Frank Clayton from 2016 to 2019, while Corrie legend Les Dennis will play Bert Barry.
Sam is no stranger to the stage; since leaving the BBC serial opera, she has been in performances of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe as the White Witch, The Girl on the Train as Rachel Watson, and The Addams Family as Morticia Addams.
When Ronnie Mitchell drowned in a swimming pool with her adored sister Roxy (Rita Simons) on her wedding day to Jack Branning, her farewell moments as Ronnie Mitchell left fans inconsolable (Scott Maslen).
After the tragic news of Olivia Newton John’s passing, the actress disclosed last year that she was fighting breast cancer.
After receiving therapy, she said that she was finally cancer-free in December.
At the time, she told OK! Magazine, “I just feel incredibly fortunate and really glad that I detected it when I did.”
“I am very grateful for my life.” I know it seems absurd, but it almost feels as like I can now appreciate the beauty in everything, and everything has a distinct quality. I can’t help but cry because I’m so thrilled.
With further dates to be announced, 42nd Street will make many stops in the UK, including Leeds, Bristol, Plymouth, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Southampton, Newcastle, Woking, and Belfast.