Cheryl’s West End co-star is forced to withdraw from 2:22 A Ghost Story

Cheryl’s West End co-star was forced to pull out of 2:22 A Ghost Story less than a week after her debut.

Hugo Chegwin, who plays Ben on the show, had to pull out of the play after coming down with the flu, making him too sick to rehearse.

The actor has been replaced by EastEnders star Jake Wood, who originated the character in the first run of the play.

Hugo said: ‘I’ve had the flu. Due to being unwell during the rehearsal period, I had to withdraw from the play.

I am absolutely gutted by this and wish everyone involved in the play the best of luck. The cast is really amazing.

Jake Wood said: “It was an honor to originate the role of Ben in the Noel Coward, winning the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Male Identification Role in a Play for 2021, and I’m very excited to rejoin the cast. until the end of April.

The ‘Danny Robins’ script is funny, moving and highly entertaining and easily the best play I’ve ever read. If you’ve seen the show before, please go back and watch it again and I promise you’ll enjoy it as much as I know I will the second time around.’

Illness: Hugo Chegwin, who plays Ben on the show, had to pull out of the play after coming down with the flu, making him too sick for rehearsals.

In the play, Cheryl plays a housewife named Jenny who becomes convinced of supernatural activity in her home.

The role has previously been played by Lily Allen, Giovanna Fletcher and Laura Whitmore.

The Girls Aloud star is reportedly set to pocket one of the highest fees in West End history, with sources claiming she’ll earn £750,000 for four months’ work on the play.

Cheryl signed on for the role despite having little acting experience and bosses are hoping ticket sales will soar.

Hugo said: ‘I’ve had the flu. Due to being unwell during the rehearsal period, I had to withdraw from the play. ‘I am absolutely heartbroken by this’

Her move into acting seems to be paying off, judging by early reviews from theatergoers who were in the audience for her debut performance.

Online reaction claims Cheryl packed a ‘slam’ and performed without a single ‘stutter or stumble’, while her jokes reportedly worked well too, as the cast received a standing ovation at the end of the show.

One person said, ‘Okay, but honestly, I won’t take ANY slander from Cheryl for 2:22! Girlie crushed her debut. No stutters or stumbles, all the jokes landed, my girl delivered with thrust and punch. And I’ve seen a LOT of shows and performances.

Another raved: ‘2:22 was crazy! Cheryl scheduled and I am in absolute awe.

Glowing Reviews: One person said, ‘Okay, but honestly, I won’t take ANY slander from Cheryl for 2:22! Girlie crushed her debut. No stutters or stumbles, all the jokes landed, my girl delivered with thrust and punch. And I’ve seen a LOT of shows and performances’

Another person said, “Cheryl was amazing in 2.22; I really think she put on a really solid performance.” Well done @CherylOfficial and all the cast!’

A third wrote: ‘2:22 opening night. I honestly felt like I was living a fever dream watching a ghost story star Cheryl in her West End debut.

‘Honestly I really enjoyed the show and our Chezza smashed it, and the whole cast is great. What a night!’

Someone else who already watched the show wrote: ‘I still can’t stop watching Cheryl at 2:22 yesterday! The show and the entire cast were amazing! Also I never jumped so much in my life [crying laughing emoji].’

Another person agreed, writing: “Cheryl was brilliant on 2:22 Ghost Story last night. Well worth going to see.

Noting the full house turnout, another said: ‘2:22 A Ghost Story was absolutely packed on opening night to see Cheryl.

‘I had no expectations and she did a good job. Also, I didn’t time the turn even after joking around the interval.

The inventive supernatural thriller, written by Danny Robins, received rave reviews when it was released in August 2021.

Hugo added: ‘I wish everyone involved in the play the best of luck. The cast is really amazing’ (pictured with Cheryl in rehearsals)

From day one, the production has relied heavily on what is known as stunt casting, in which a celebrity, often with little or no acting experience, is assigned a role to sell tickets.

The crux of the play is that at 2:22 every night, Jenny hears the sound of footsteps and a man crying on the baby monitor.

Her husband believes there must be a rational explanation, and her guests agree to stay until the fateful hour to witness the event for themselves.

The official synopsis for the play reads: “Jenny thinks her new home is haunted, but her husband Sam wants none of it.” They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren and new partner Ben.

Speaking about her role with MailOnline ahead of her debut, Cheryl said: ‘Some people have said they wouldn’t expect this from me. But to me it doesn’t feel so far away.

“I think we like people to be in their little box where we know where to find them and we know what to expect. And when someone does something different, you’re like, ‘Oh.’

“But to me it feels like a natural progression, if you want, the next step.”