Hurrah – very exciting news! :oD

My favourite X-Factor contestant from last year, Niki Evans (who I had tipped to win from the audition stage onwards), is soon to be appearing in Blood Brothers!!! (Details below the video clips)

The top three videos below are of Niki’s amazing performances on 2007’s X-Factor; the fourth is Niki’s new single “Love Me No More” and the final video is a clip of the cast of Blood Brothers performing at the 1993 Tony Awards.

I’m looking forward to watching this already!!!

One of last year’s most popular X–Factor semi finalists has landed the much coveted leading role of Mrs Johnstone in Willy Russell’s musical Blood Brothers.

Mum of two Niki Evans, from Birmingham, won the hearts of millions as one of the most popular female artists ever to appear in the hit TV show with her extraordinary renditions of such songs as ‘Fields of Gold’, ‘Songbird’, and ‘All That Jazz’.

Niki, whose debut single ‘Love Me No More’ was released on 15th September, will make her debut in Blood Brothers at the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre for two weeks from the 20th October, before she commences a 6 month run in the West End in London’s Phoenix Theatre.

Marti Webb, who is currently playing the role of Mrs Johnstone on tour, has agreed to return to London to play at the Phoenix for the two weeks that Niki is in Birmingham. Marti then rejoins the tour of Blood Brothers on Monday 3rd November.

The celebrated role of Mrs Johnstone has been played by such well-known actresses as Stephanie Lawrence, Clodagh Rodgers, Kiki Dee, Lyn Paul, Siobhan McCarthy, and four of the Nolan sisters (Linda, Bernie, Denise and Maureen).

Blood Brothers has been running in London’s West End since July 1988. In the USA, it has had a record-breaking Broadway run, a hugely successful coast-to-coast tour, and was nominated for seven Tony Awards. Telling the captivating and moving story of twin boys separated at birth, only to be re-united by a twist of fate and a mother’s haunting secret, the memorable score includes A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.