Cheryl will now share the stage in 2:22 A Ghost Story with a famous EastEnders actor, after it has been confirmed that Jake Wood is joining the cast of the hit London show.
While the latest rum of 2:22 A Ghost Story won't officially begin until the start of February, with Cheryl as Jenny, its previews started at the weekend. However, the show has already suffered a big illness blow as Hugo Chegwin has had to pull out, after becoming ill during rehearsals.
Confirming his absence, the Ivor Novello award-winning producer and actor, said: "I've had the flu. Due to being poorly during the rehearsal period, I've had to pull out of the play. I'm absolutely gutted about this and I wish everyone involved in the play the best of luck. The cast are truly amazing."
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And just as it was revealed that Hugo had exited stage left, it was confirmed that Jake, well known to millions of soap fans as villainous rogue Max Branning in EastEnders, would be returning to the role of Ben from January 26, a part he played when A Ghost Story launched a few years ago.
A statement from producers read: "Due to illness during the rehearsal period, Hugo Chegwin has sadly had to withdraw from the production. We are delighted to welcome Jake Wood back to the 2:22 family."
"Jake Wood was one of the original cast members of 2:22 A Ghost Story when it opened in summer 2021 at the Noel Coward Theatre, along with Lily Allen, Julia Chan and Hadley Fraser. Jake won the WhatsOnStage Award for his performance."
The plot of 2:22, now playing at the Lyric Theatre, sees Cheryl's character Jenny believe her new home is haunted, but her husband Sam isn't having any of it. They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren and new partner Ben. Can the dead really walk again? Belief and scepticism clash, but something feels strange and frightening, and that something is getting closer. So they're going to stay up until 2:22….and then they'll know.
