Chicago is the longest running Broadway transfer in the West End and it’s amongst the most popular too. Since the show opened in 1997 it has seen its fair share of cast changes but no other show on Earth seems to tempt celebs into treading the boards like Chicago.
Chicago certainly has something special that draws in the TV personalities. Some of them are hardly surprising, R’n'B singer Usher appeared as Billy Flynn on Broadway recently and Nigel Planer took a turn as Amos Hart in the 1990s, others however are slightly stranger.
Here, ladies and gentlemen, are five of the most unexpected celebs to have appeared in Chicago. I’m sure you’ll doubt the authenticity of one or two of them so feel free to Google.
5) Gaby Roslin
The lovely Ms Roslin, perhaps the second-best Big Breakfast presenter, played prison matron, Mama Morton from November 2002 until March 2003. Roslin enjoyed appearing in Chicago so much that she extended her contract.
4) Ashlee Simpson
Little Ashlee Simpson played Roxie Hart between September and October 2006. She was a particularly unexpected addition to the cast of Chicago due to the notorious lip-syncing incident on Saturday Night Live which saw her backing track give in, only for her to do an impromptu jig in what we can presume was an effort to distract the audience. The tiniest Simpson did well in the West End however, and she delivered a youthful performance of Roxie that won over several critics.
3) Michael Greco
Greco is of course best known for playing Beppe Di Marco in EastEnders. Who could forget that peculiar little beard? Greco took a break from playing professional poker to play Billy Flynn alongside Gaby Roslin in 2002-2003.
2) Kelly Osbourne
These days she’s a fashionista, musician and TV personality in her own right but Miss Osbourne first found fame as the potty-mouthed daughter of world-famous rocker, Ozzy Osbourne. However she became famous, it’s working well for her. Osbourne’s portrayal of Mama Morton was a personal favourite of mine.
1) Justin Lee Collins
Everyone’s favourite West Country clown, Justin Lee Collins, played Amos Hart for three days late last year as part of an upcoming Sky1 show. The hairy funnyman surprised quite a few sour-faced critics with his impressive singing abilities and left a lot of people wishing his stint in the role was a bit longer.
So there we go, my favourite five. A few great names almost made it to the list; Les Dennis as Amos Hart, Claire Sweeny as Roxie Hart and David Hasselhoff as Billy Flynn to name a few.
Jerry Springer is preparing to take to the stage as Billy Flynn soon, and he’ll be joining a list of illustrious celebs to perform in what may well be the best show on the West End.
