Cheryl’s West End co-star has been forced to pull out of 2:22 A Ghost Story less than a week after she made her debut.
Hugo Chegwin, who plays Ben in the show, has had to bow out of the play after being struck down with the flu, making him too sick to rehearse.
The actor has been replaced by EastEnders star Jake Wood, who originated the character in the play’s first run.
Play: Cheryl’s West End co-star has been forced to pull out of 2:22 A Ghost Story less than a week after she made her debut
Hugo 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.’
Jake Wood said: ‘It was an honour to originate the role of Ben at the Noel Coward, winning the WhatsOnStage best supporting performer in a male identifying role in a play Award for 2021, and I am so excited to be rejoining the cast until the end of April.
‘Danny Robins’ script is funny, touching, and so entertaining and easily the best play I have ever read. If you’ve seen the show before, come back and see it again and I promise that you will enjoy it just as much as I know I will the second time around.’
Illness: Hugo Chegwin, who plays Ben in the show, has had to bow out of the play after being struck down with the flu, making him too sick to rehearsals
In the play, Cheryl plays a housewife named Jenny who becomes convinced of supernatural activity in her home.
The role has previously been played by Lily Allen, Giovanna Fletcher and Laura Whitmore.
The Girls Aloud star is reportedly set to pocket one of the biggest fees in West End history, with sources claiming she’ll earn £750,000 for four months work on the play.
Cheryl signed up for the role despite having little acting experience, and bosses hoping that she will boost ticket sales.
Hugo 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’
Her move to acting appears to be paying off, judging by early reviews from theatre-goers who were in the audience for her debut performance.
Reaction online claims that Cheryl packed a ‘punch’ and performed without a single ‘stutter or stumbles’, while her jokes also reportedly landed well, as the cast received a standing ovation at the end of the show.
One person said: ‘Okay but honestly I will not be taking ANY Cheryl slander for 2:22! Girlie smashed her debut. No stutters or stumbles, all the jokes landed, my girl delivered with oomp and punch. And I’ve seen A LOT of shows and performances.’
Another raved: ‘2:22 was INSANE! Cheryl slated and I am just in absolute awe.
Rave reviews: One person said: ‘Okay but honestly I will not be taking ANY Cheryl slander for 2:22! Girlie smashed her debut. No stutters or stumbles, all the jokes landed, my girl delivered with oomp and punch. And I’ve seen A LOT of shows and performances’
Another person said: ‘Cheryl was amazing in 2.22 – I genuinely think she did a really strong acting performance. Well done @CherylOfficial and the whole cast!’
A third wrote: ‘2:22 opening night. I honestly felt like I was living a fever dream watching a ghost story starring Cheryl in her West End debut.
‘I honestly really enjoyed the show and our Chezza smashed it, and the whole cast are great. What a night!’
Someone else who has already seen the show, wrote: ‘I still can’t get over seeing Cheryl in 2:22 yesterday! The show and whole cast were amazing! Also never jumped so much in my life [crying laughing emoji].’
A different person agreed, and wrote: ‘Cheryl was brilliant in 2:22 Ghost Story last night. Well worth going to see her.’
Noting the full house attendance, another said: ‘2:22 A Ghost Story was absolutely packed to the brim on opening night to see Cheryl.
‘I had no expectations and she did a good job. Plus I did not clock the twist even after making jokes at the interval.’
The slick, supernatural thriller, written by Danny Robins, received good reviews when it opened in August 2021.
Hugo added: ‘I wish everyone involved in the play the best of luck. The cast are truly amazing’ (pictured with Cheryl inr ehearsals)
From day one the production has relied heavily on what’s known as stunt casting – where a celebrity, often with little or no acting experience, is given a role in order to sell tickets.
The crux of the play is that at 2.22 every night Jenny hears the sound of footsteps and a man crying over the baby monitor.
Her husband believes there must be a rational explanation and her guests agree to stay until the fateful hour to witness the event for themselves.
The official synopsis for the play says: ‘Jenny believes 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.
Speaking about her role with MailOnline ahead of her debut, Cheryl said: ‘A few people have said they wouldn’t expect this from me. But for me it doesn’t feel that far removed.
‘I think we like people to be in their little box where we know where to find them and we know what we’re going to expect. And when someone does something different, you’re like, ‘Oh’.
‘But for me it feels like a natural progression, if you like, the next step.’
