Stacey Dooley 'so excited' for theatre acting debut

Luton-born Stacey Dooley is acting in 2:22 A Ghost Story in the West End

Stacey Dooley has said she is "so excited" to be making her stage acting debut in the West End.

The Luton-born star takes on the role of Jenny in 2:22 A Ghost Story, which has previously been played by singers Lily Allen and Cheryl.

Dooley, who won Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 with her partner Kevin Clifton, was asked whether she was nervous about theatre critics during an interview on BBC Breakfast.

She said despite some snobbery "surrounding that world" of theatre, she felt "this play doesn’t feel too highbrow" and she was "so excited" about the prospect.

"I like it for that reason, actually. It's an experience and it's a ghost story... it's quite thought provoking.

"So I'm not too fussed about the critics and again, it's so subjective."

Stacey Dooley (right) in rehearsal with Donna Air, James Buckley and Joseph McFadden

The show follows Jenny, who believes her new home is haunted.

Her husband Sam does not, and the couple argue with an old friend and her new partner, who are their first dinner guests.

The play has previously featured Busted singer Matt Willis, Harry Potter's Tom Felton and Encanto's Stephanie Beatriz.

Dooley said that the conversation in the play was "very ordinary" and it was a "total joy" working with the other actors, who include Inbetweeners star James Buckley as colourful dinner guest Ben.

She will perform before a live audience at the Gielgud Theatre from 25 May to 4 August.

"You can sort of get into your head and think, 'oh, am I going to do a good job?'.

"All you can do is try your best, and go for it," she said. "And hopefully people enjoy it."

"It's a hugely successful play and I think they've always cast in quite unexpected ways.

"First it was Lily Allen's role, really, and she just smashed it and she was nominated for an Olivier Award.

"And ever since then, I think Jenny particularly hasn't been as traditionally cast as other plays."