A Strictly star is set to appear on the Mayflower stage later this year as a popular musical comes to Southampton.

Dr Ranj Singh is a household name for many after a stint on This Morning and his partnership with Janette Manrara on the BBC dancing competition.

He will now play the lead role of Lance in the musical & Juliet at The Mayflower in November 2024.

Dr Ranj will join Southampton-born X Factor winner, Matt Cardle, in the coming-of-age duke box musical, marking his musical theatre debut as part of the UK tour.

Speaking following the announcement, the 45-year-old said: “I am absolutely overjoyed to be making my musical theatre debut in & Juliet, a show I've been a fan of since it first opened.

“I know it’s a bit of a change from my usual work, but not many people will know how hard I've been working behind the scenes to make this happen, and it's an absolute dream come true.”

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He added: “I can't wait to work with the incredible Luke Sheppard and the entire creative team and have the time of my life this year, showing the UK what I'm made of alongside an exceptionally talented and diverse cast. Bring it on.”

Running at The Mayflower from Tuesday, November 5, to Saturday, November 9, the musical follows Juliet – played by Gerardine Sacdalan – as Juliet ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life.

Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems, including ‘Since U Been Gone,’ ‘It’s My Life,’ and ‘I Want It That Way.’

& Juliet has been performed on four continents since its world premiere in September 2019.

It began at the Manchester Opera House, before moving to London’s West End from 2019 to 2023, where it won three Olivier Awards, and six WhatsOnStage Awards.

Tickets for & Juliet are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.