The Stage

Ousted I’d Do Anything contestant cast in Les Mis

Published Wednesday 14 May 2008 at 14:50 by Lalayn Baluch

Reality TV contestants Nancy Sullivan and Leanne Dobinson have been cast in long-running West End musical Les Miserables, and will take up their roles on June 23.

Sullivan, who recently took part in BBC show I’d Do Anything - Andrew Lloyd Webber’s search for a new actress to play Nancy in a forthcoming production of Oliver! - will appear as Eponine.

Meanwhile, Dobinson, who was one of the ten hopefuls in talent contest How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, has been cast as Cosette.

Producer Cameron Mackintosh said: “Although both Nancy and Leanne may have missed out on the respective roles they were vying for in these shows, their talents did not go unnoticed. I was delighted to give them the chance to win parts in Les Miserables, which I’m sure they will be terrific in.”

Les Miserables originally opened at the Barbican Theatre in October 1985. In 2006, it celebrated its 21st birthday in London and became the world’s longest running musical, beating the record previously held by Cats in the West End.

Mackintosh recently cast another I’d Do Anything contestant, Katie Hall, as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera, while Any Dream Will Do finalist Daniel Boys is currently appearing in Avenue Q.