2 hours ago
25
Tickets to star-studded musicals are a luxury few families can afford in the run up to Christmas.
And those who forked out for tickets to the new touring production of Annie will be left disappointed as Claire Sweeney has abruptly left the role of Miss Hannigan to take part in this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here.
The soap star, 55, has risked the fury of ticket-holders who have paid to see her on stage by quietly pulling out of her eight scheduled performances in Woking this month, with drag artist La Voix drafted in to replace her.
While producers have updated the ticketing page for the New Victoria Theatre to reflect the cast change, they have not put out an announcement and it is unclear whether they have informed ticket-holders of the change.
The Daily Mail can reveal that Ms Sweeney, who is on a six-figure contract, only informed producers last week that she would be unable to fulfil her scheduled dates in Woking in order to fly to Australia.
La Voix, 46, who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing last year, first held the role as head of Hudson St. Home for Girls before Ms Sweeney took over in July.
Claire Sweeney has abruptly left the role of Miss Hannigan in Annie the Musical to take part in this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here
The soap star, 55, has risked the fury of ticket-holders who have paid to see her on stage by quietly pulling out of her eight scheduled performances
A source said: ‘While appearing on I’m A Celeb to millions of people each night seems like a good idea as it will undoubtedly boost her profile, it’s still not a good look for Claire.
‘She had these dates in her diary for months now and committed to the musical long before talks with ITV.
‘A lot of children will be devastated as they were coming to see her. Their parents who splashed out for the tickets will rightfully be furious.’
The Daily Mail has contacted a representative for Ms Sweeney. A spokesperson for Annie did not respond to requests for comment.
Ms Sweeney is due to perform another eight shows later this month in Bradford at the Alhambra Theatre, but it is unclear who will cover these dates.
Due to contractual obligations with ITV, the mother-of-one will still be expected to remain in Australia for the duration of I’m A Celebrity regardless of whether she is eliminated from the show early.
Another theatre source suggested she could return to the role in December once she has landed back in the UK.
Ms Sweeney said it has always been her ‘dream’ to play Miss Hannigan.
She previously said: ‘I’ve always wanted to play her. On my 40th birthday a friend made me a card that was a collage of my life and career.
La Voix, 46, who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing last year, first held the role as head of Hudson St. Home for Girls before Ms Sweeney took over in July and will now reprise their role
'He knew that my dream was to play Hannigan and he’d superimposed my face on Paul O’Grady’s body as Miss Hannigan.’
Earlier this year she quit her role in Coronation Street as reformed drug addict Cassie Plummer for the musical.
Her on-screen son Tyrone Dobbs, played by Alan Halsall, took on the jungle in 2024.
She rose to fame as Lindsey Corkhill in the Channel 4 soap Brookside.
English (US) ·