THE Isle of Man's West End star Samantha Barks has landed the role of Nancy in a touring production of Oliver!
The 21 year old from Laxey started rehearsals for the UK tour which starts in December today (Monday).
She will star alongside Iain Fletcher who will play Bill Sykes and Neil Morrissey and Brian Conley who will take it in turns to play Fagin.
Sam first shot to fame by taking part in Andrew Lloyd Webber's BBC reality show I'd Do Anything which aimed to find someone to play Nancy in the Lionel Bart musical.
She came third in the competition, which was won by Jodie Prenger, but went on to make a name for herself playing the part of Sally Bowles in Cabaret and Eponine in Les Miserables.
Writing on Twitter yesterday Sam said: "First day of rehearsals of Oliver tomorrow!! Very excited!!"
Oliver! will open at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff on December 20. It will then travel to Birmingham, Manchester, Southampton, Edinburgh, Norwich, Plymouth, Newcastle, Leeds, Dublin and Bristol.
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