Doncaster's Sheridan Smith to play Cilla Black again in new stage musical

The Epworth star previously played the 60s singer in the 2014 ITV series Cilla – and she will now be reprising the role for the stage.

Sheridan – currently expecting her first child with fiance Jamie Horn – broke the news to fans on Instagram.

Cilla the Musical will debut at the Liverpool Empire for a four-week residency before touring the UK.

She said: ‘Woo hoo it’s official! Can’t wait to see you all there!’

The production will visit the likes of Aylesbury, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Leeds during its run.

The three part series won Sheridan plaudits for her portrayal of Cilla, who died in August 2015.

The television miniseries focused on the early life of Cilla, who began her career in 1963 after being championed by her friends, The Beatles.

Her singles "Anyone Who Had a Heart" and "You're My World" both reached number one in the UK in 1964 and alongside her recording career, also enjoyed a hugely successful career in television, hosting dating show Blind Date for nearly twenty years along with ‘dreams come true’ show Surprise Surprise.

She died on 1 August 2015, at the age of 72 at her holiday home in the Spanish town of Estepona after a stroke following a fall.

Her funeral was attended by Cliff Richard, Paul O'Grady, Jimmy Tarbuck and Christopher Biggins.