Earlier this year it was announced that Olivier Award-winner Nigel Harman had been cast as X Factor supremo Simon and that Color Purple star Cynthia Erivo and Holby City actor Alan Morrissey had been cast as lovestruck contestants Chenice and Max.

Joining Nigel on the judging panel will be Ashley Knight as the ever-positive boyband manager Louis and Victoria Elliot as pop queen Jordy. Simon Bailey will play the overly affectionate X Factor host Liam O'Deary, with Billy Carter as Executive Producer and Simon's right hand man, Gerard Smalls. Simon Lipkin plays Chenice's faithful canine sidekick Barlow and Joe Speare is her iron-lung bound Grandad.

Along with Chenice and Max, the I Can't Sing hopefuls include Katy Secombe as supermarket checkout chanteuse Brenda, Charlie Baker as The Hunchback and Shaun Smith and Rowen Hawkins as Irish pop duo Alterboyz.

The I Can't Sing! cast is completed by Luke Baker, Adam J Bernard, Jenna Boyd, Cyrus Brandon, Gabrielle Brooks, Scarlette Douglas, Kelly Ewins, Scott Garnham, Cherelle Jay, Faisal Khodaukus, Jaye Marshall, Brian McCann, Max Parker, Joseph Prouse, Steven Serlin, Kirstie Skivington, Philippa Stefani, Gary Trainor and Alex Young.

Harry Hill said: "I worked with a lot of our cast in the workshops for I Can't Sing! and we have some brilliant new faces too. I'm thrilled with The Acting Company we have on board - and it's a coup to have Nigel Harman as Simon. He was so funny in Shrek the Musical - not so much in Downton. With the wig and teeth he looks more like Simon, than Simon."

Harry Hill and Steve Brown’s brand new musical comedy will feature 19 original songs. I Can’t Sing ‘and goes behind the microphone and under the judges' desk to reveal the (not necessarily accurate) story of heartache and laughter that keeps millions tuning in to the X Factor every week.’

Andrew Tomlins

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