On the day that Denise Van Outen was due to start rehearsals as Velma Kelly in Chicago at the Phoenix Theatre, it was discovered that she had suffered a stress fracture in her heel. Her replacement will be announced shortly as will dates for the actress’ return to the show.
Denise Van Outen will therefore no longer be playing the role from 24 September to 17 November 2018. Having previously played Roxie Hart to critical acclaim, star of stage and screen Denise was due to take the stand as Velma opposite Alexandra Burke as Roxie Hart, Duncan James as Billy Flynn, Mazz Murray as Mama Morton and Paul Rider as Amos Hart. Kander and Ebb’s Chicago is booking at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End until Saturday 5 January 2019.
Van Outen previously played the role of Roxie Hart to critical acclaim in both the West End and on Broadway. Her other West End credits include Tell Me on a Sunday, Legally Blonde, Rent and her one-woman show Some Girl I Used to Know.
On television, she currently judges on Ireland’s Got Talent having previously judged on BBC1’s Any Dream Will Do and I’d Do Anything alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber. She can also be seen on ITV1’s daytime chat show Loose Women and in 2012 reached the final of BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing.
