X Factor winner Leona Lewis will replace Nicole Scherzinger as Grizabella in the Broadway revival of Cats.
The singer announced the news on Twitter.
The part had been played by former Pussycat Doll Scherzinger in London and she was due to return to the theatre for the Broadway version but pulled out just before rehearsals began.
Andrew Lloyd Webber confirmed she dropped out to return to the UKās X Factor judging panel and admitted he was āfuriousā about it.
At the time he told The Economist Radio: āI mean, sheās crazy. But the American producers just took a view ā āWell, fine, weāll get somebody elseā, because sheās actually not very well known in America, amazingly. Sheās much better known here.ā
The musical theatre supremo said Scherzingerās move had made him look foolish.
He said: āIām furious because I really believe sheās the most fantastically talented girl and I went out on a limb to get her for the London Palladium here, and it makes me look like an absolute twot with them all.
āBut never mind, thereāll be another girl on Broadway and Nicole will not get her Tony Award.ā
Lewis won the third series of The X Factor in 2006 and went on to achieve success with singles including Bleeding Love, Run and Better In Time.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article