Shrek the Musical has found its new leading lady in the form of Girls Aloud star, Kimberley Walsh. The singer will take over the role of ‘Princess Fiona’ from October 5^th following the departure of Amanda Holden.

Amanda Holden is leaving the show early having just announced her pregnancy which has led to Kimberley taking over the role two months earlier than originally planned.

As part of an ITV documentary chronicling the various passions of the Girls Aloud members, Kimberley was able to explore her love for musical theatre and fulfil a lifelong dream by singing On My Own, in the role of Eponine in Les Miserables, on a real West End stage.

Kimberley’s stage roots go all the way back to when she was twelve where she fell in love with Les Miserables while playing the role of ‘Young Cosette’.

Shrek the Musical tells the story of swamp-dwelling ogre-turned unlikely hero who is forced to embark on a life-changing adventure in order to retrieve the deed to his land. He is joined on his quest by a talkative donkey and together they rescue Princess Fiona who turns out to have a few surprises up her sleeve…

The stage production is an adaptation of William Steig’s book Shrek! and the extremely successful animated feature film of the same name starring the voices of Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy. The musical is produced by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions and is directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford. The music is by Jeanine Tesori.

Shrek the Musical opened at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on 14 June 2011 – Shrek the Musical tickets are available for most shows and there are discounts of £16.50 or more available – or why not combine tickets with either a meal or a hotel room for  a real saving!