TV presenter and West End star Denise Van Outen will return to the London stage next month, joining Sheridan Smith and the cast of Legally Blonde the Musical at the Savoy Theatre. Former Hollyoaks actress Carley Stenson and talent show star Siobhan Dillon will also join the show this autumn.

Van Outen, who recently gave birth to her first child, Betsy, with actor husband Lee Mead, replaces Jill Halfpenny in the role of ‘Paulette’. Recent TV work has seen Van Outen running the rule over future West End stars in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s shows ‘I’d Do Anything’ and ‘Any Dream Will Do’. Her stage credits include the role of ‘Roxie Hart’ in the sizzling musical Chicago.

Siobhan Dillon reached the final of TV talent show ‘How Do You Solve a Problem like Maria?’ Although she lost out on the role, it wasn’t long before she made her West End debut as ‘Patty’ in the ever-popular Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre. She returned to the show again this year, taking the leading role of ‘Sandy’.

Carley Stenson will make her West End stage debut in Legally Blonde the Musical. She is best known for the role of ‘Steph Cunningham’ in C4’s Hollyoaks, a role she has played for over ten years. 

Sheridan Smith Can't Resist a 'Chihuahua-Filled' Christmas!

Sheridan Smith, who leads the cast, has extended her commitment to the show and will now continue in the musical until 09 January 2011. Speaking about her decision to remain in the show, the star said:

"I absolutely love playing Elle Woods, it's been one of the highlights of my career so far, and I'm thrilled that the audiences love the show as much as I do. When Sonia (Sonia Friedman the show’s producer) asked me to stay for a little bit longer, I couldn't resist the thought of a pink, Chihuahua-filled Christmas!"

Legally Blonde and Lots of Fun

College sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods doesn't take no for an answer. So when her boyfriend Warner dumps her for someone serious, Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and heads for Harvard Law School. 

With plenty of twists and turns for our heroine along the way, this all-singing, all-dancing, feel good comedy proves that staying true to yourself never goes out of fashion.