Cheryl Cole to make huge comeback – sparking showbiz bidding war
WHEN she was announced as the lead in the play 2:22 A Ghost Story in London’s West End more than a few eyebrows were raised.
But Cheryl is having the last laugh, as she is at the centre of a bidding war after impressing with her acting skills.
Sources tell me the former Girls Aloud singer has received multiple offers from big West End shows and is mulling over what to do next.
As well as being won over by her performance that she started last December, rival theatres also noticed that Cheryl’s star power meant her run in the spooky show was close to sold out every night.
A source said: “Accepting the Ghost Story gig was always a gamble but it has breathed new life into Cheryl’s career.
"She knows her time as a pop star has come to an end and she openly admits she no longer understands the music industry, but being back on stage was a real buzz for her.
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“She loved every minute and wants to get another show under her belt.
"There are multiple offers on the table so it’s about picking the one that is right for her.”
Jamie Winstone took over the role of Jenny from Cheryl last month.
Yet despite her acting credentials the show has failed to shift tickets.
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There is high availability for all dates until September at the Apollo Theatre, with bosses shelling out on expensive prime-time TV advertising during the first week of Love Island to plug it.
So Cheryl does still have pulling power after all.
BRITNEY COMEBACK HINT
BRITNEY SPEARS might have a new album of original music on the way if one top producer is to be believed.
Caleb Stone, who has worked with US singer Kali Uchis, shared a post on Instagram claiming to have spent most of the year working on music for the superstar with Norwegian songwriting duo Stargate.
They are responsible for Beyonce’s Irreplaceable, Katy Perry's Firework and a load of Rihanna's top tunes, so it would be a big deal.
Caleb wrote: “Spent the last nine months in the Siberian alps making beats for the new Britney Spears album w bros @stargate – big tings coming.”
Watch this space . . .
JADE’S IN MIX WITH LOSTBOY
LITTLE MIX’s Jade Thirlwall is teaming up with the writer and producer behind Kylie Minogue’s surprise hit Padam Padam for her solo record.
I’ve learned she has been hitting the studio with Lostboy, real name Peter Rycroft, and who has also worked on hits for Mimi Webb, Becky Hill and Ellie Goulding.
A source said: “Earlier this year she and Peter were writing and recording together on a few tracks.
“Right now things are a way off in terms of album track listings but the songs they have done are amazing.”
Jade and bandmates Leigh-Anne and Perrie Edwards have vowed not to go head to head when releasing solo music.
Given that Leigh-Anne will drop her debut single Don’t Say Love this Friday, that probably means a bit of a wait for the other two.
TRIBUTE TO TOM
STARS will gather for a charity football match on Father’s Day on Sunday to celebrate Tom Parker.
The Wanted singer died of a brain tumour aged 33 last March and his wife Kelsey Parker is honouring him with a match, sponsored by Quantus, for the Ahead of the Game Foundation.
McFly’s Harry Judd, Corrie’s Ryan Thomas, Strictly’s Neil Jones, Love Island’s Luca Bish and Towie’s James Argent will be taking part at Bromley FC, South East London.
Kelsey said: “Father’s Day was tough last year.
"But this year will be different, it will be a celebration, with families coming together.
“It’s a very special way to remember Tom.”
Tickets are available at tomparker.quantusgallery.com. at £10 each.
ED’S CELEB FAN CLUB
ED SHEERAN was the toast of the Big Apple during his gig there on Sunday and a host of celebs joined him to celebrate.
The singer performed to 89,000 fans at the MetLife Stadium then had had chef Gordon Ramsey and actors Chris Hemsworth and Matt Damon with him backstage afterwards.
Ed wrote on Instagram: “Played my biggest ever USA show today and broke the ticket record at MetLife.
“I really don’t take this for granted, my dad told me if you can make it in New York you can make it anywhere, and today was really reminiscing about playing my first show at Mercury Lounge in 2012 to 130 people.
“It feels like a dream today.”
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JESSIE J has revealed her son’s name after giving birth last month.
On Instagram, the pop star, who shares the baby with her basketball player boyfriend Chanan Colman, wrote: “Mans like . . . Sky Safir Cornish Colman.”
The name combines both of their surnames, Cornish and Colman, as well as Chanan’s middle name, Safir.
Pixie Lott commented: “So lovely Jessie.”
KANYE BELIEVE THE GUY
KANYE WEST celebrated his 46th birthday with a tin-eared party that included food being served on naked women.
The rapper’s daughter North West and his new wife Bianca Censori arrived at the weekend’s do in LA together and appeared to be getting on well.
A DJ played Kanye’s greatest hits – natch – and although the party wasn’t filled with quite as many A-listers as you’d expect, guests included singer and actress Chloe Bailey and rapper TY Dolla Sign.
North even filmed her dad rapping his tune Off The Grid.
TOM DOES TREBLE IN A DAY
TOM GRENNAN said his “body is battered” after performing at Capital’s Summertime Ball, playing at Soccer Aid and singing at halftime on the same day.
The singer belted out How Does It Feel at Wembley Stadium on Sunday before dashing to Manchester’s Old Trafford to play for the England team at Soccer Aid, who lost to the World XI team.
He sang his hit ballad Here at half time.
He became the first person to play and perform at the celebrity footie game and was named player of the match for the second year running.
After getting home at 5am Tom told talkSPORT yesterday: “I enjoyed the football over the performance.”
The top grafter, who drops his album What Ifs & Maybes on Friday, added: “You’re gonna love this.”
GLOW ON, MARIAH
MARIAH CAREY took a break from working on her 16th studio album to entertain fans at Los Angeles Pride.
The pop diva rocked up to the event wearing this glittering skirt, metallic corset and bling – all outshone by her huge grin – while performing to thousands at the Hollywood celebrations.
The Always Be My Baby hitmaker has been hard at work in the studio recording her first album in five years, following the success of her 2018’s Caution.
The singer is also developing a TV series based on her bestselling memoir The Meaning Of Mariah Carey.
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Work is ongoing to get that project off the ground and there have not yet been any clues on who could play her.
Given the power of Mariah’s pipes, I’m certain production will be hard- pressed to find someone who can convincingly cover her ballads.