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Cast announced for Flashdance in Blackpool

Joanne Clifton and Ben Adams confirmed to star in the musical.

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Strictly Come Dancing favourite Joanne Clifton and singer-songwriter Ben Adams will appear in Flashdance, which returns to the UK for the first time since 2011 later this year.

As well as success alongside Ore Oduba and Harry Judd on Strictly, Joanne Clifton is a World and European Champion ballroom dancer. Theatre credits include the role of Streetwalker in the UK premiere of the Irving Berlin musical, Face The Music, as well as Marilyn Monroe in the Norma Jean musical, and Millie Dillmount in the UK tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Clifton will be taking on the role of Alex Owens in Flashdance.

“This is just another dream come true,” she announced. “I think everyone in the world whether dancer or non-dancer, as soon as they hear What a Feeling, remember that iconic scene at the end of the film and I’m so incredibly lucky that I get to do that every night in a UK TOUR along with fabulous numbers like She’s a Maniac. I’m over the moon!

“It’s another amazing opportunity in my musical theatre career and I can once again sing and act alongside dancing! I just hope the water’s not too cold when it falls on me!”

She’ll be joined by singer-songwriter Ben Adams as Nick Hurley. Starting his professional career as the lead singer of band a1, he has since worked with the likes of Craig David, JLS, Ward Thomas, Sam Bailey, Boyzone and Alexandra Burke.

TV credits include Celebrity Big Brother, the Norwegian version of Strictly Come Dancing, and the Danish MasterChef. He’s currently working on his first solo album, 1981, due in early 2018.

In the world of theatre, Ben has written a new musical called EUGENIUS!, which is set to hit the West End next year.

“It’s amazing to be part of such an iconic story, and as an 80’s child I was brought up on this music so I couldn’t be happier playing Nick in the theatre production of Flashdance,” he says. “Whilst I continue with my own music career and touring with a1, musical theatre has always been a real passion of mine, so to be asked to play this role, and to be working with such an amazing cast and crew is a real honour. I look forward to seeing you all out on the road in the coming months.”

Other confirmed cast members include Colin, Kiyani, Rikki Chamberlain, Garry Lee Netley, Carol Ball, Sia Dauda, Hillie Ann Lowe, Simeon Beckett, Rhodri Watkins, Demmileigh Foster, Emily Kenwright, Ameila Rose Fielding, Alex Christian, Matt Concannon.

Flashdance – The Musical tells the inspiring and unforgettable story of 18-year-old Alex, a welder by day and ‘flashdancer’ by night, who dreams of going to the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy and becoming a professional dancer. When a romance complicates her ambitions, she harnesses it to drive her dream.

The production is based on the Paramount Pictures film of the same name.

Flashdance – The Musical reaches Blackpool’s Opera House on the 23rd October, running until the 4 November 2017 as part of an extensive UK tour.

Tickets are available now through Ticketmaster.co.uk.