West End stars you may recognise from reality TV

It’s always thrilling to see a celebrity that you idolise on stage. Whether it’s catching an A-lister in a must-see play in London, or watching an award-winning pop star lead a musical, seeing stars on stage can be a special moment. However, there’s a small but growing group of reality television performers who achieve their dream of leading a West End show.

Plenty of performers found theatrical stardom after winning reality TV competitions. Alexandra Burke took the West End by storm after winning The X Factor, Jessie Buckley came second in I’d Do Anything, a televised search for Nancy in Oliver!. Jay McGuiness launched himself into musical theatre after winning Strictly Come Dancing in the UK. And now, there’s plenty of reality TV personalities who you might recognise from the small screen treading the boards. Here’s all the West End stars from reality TV that you can see on stage right now.

Lucie Jones

Welsh singer Lucie Jones first appeared on our screens in the UK series of The X Factor in 2009. She reached the live finals of the competition at just 18 years old. Even though she finished eighth, her singing attracted the attention of West End producer Cameron Mackintosh. Shortly after competing in The X Factor, Jones made her West End debut as Cosette in Les Misérables. She then starred in UK tours of We Will Rock You, Rent and Legally Blonde, before being cast as Jenna in Waitress. Now, Jones is fulfilling a lifelong ambition: she stars as Elphaba in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. See her defying gravity now.

Book Wicked tickets starring Lucie Jones on London Theatre.

Samantha Barks

Samantha Barks competed on the 2008 reality television series I’d Do Anything – the hunt for the next Nancy in Oliver! She came third in the competition, losing out to fellow West End leading ladies Jessie Buckley and Jodie Prenger. After the series, Barks played Eponine in Les Misérables, and then reprised the role in the film adaptation. More recently, she’s entertained American audiences in Amélie and Pretty Woman: The Musical. Now, Barks is back on British soil. She’s currently turning the West End into a winter wonderland, as she plays Elsa in Frozen at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Book Frozen tickets starring Samantha Barks on London Theatre.

Matt Henry

Prior to finding reality TV fame, Matt Henry had already appeared in a number of West End shows. Henry made his West End debut in The Lion King, before playing Gary Coleman in Avenue Q from 2006 – 2012. Then, Henry competed on The Voice UK, a reality search for the country’s best singer. Although he came in fourth, Henry’s West End future was sealed, and he’s now a hot commodity. Since The Voice, Henry’s won an Olivier Award for playing Lola in Kinky Boots, and he’s giving soulful performances in the world premiere production of The Drifters Girl.

Danny Mac

West End heartthrob Danny Mac began his theatre career from an early age, playing Gavroche in Les Misérables aged 11. After professional training, Mac made his adult debut in Wicked, before leaving to star in Hollyoaks. However, his notoriety grew thanks to competing in the 2016 series of Strictly Come Dancing. Since then, he’s been an unstoppable force in the London theatre scene, starring in On The Town, White Christmas and now Pretty Woman: The Musical.

Book Pretty Woman: The Musical tickets starring Danny Mac on London Theatre.