Jessie Wallace to sing on stage in revival of East End musical

EastEnders' Jessie Wallace is to star in a new musical in London.

Jessie, who plays Kat Moon in EastEnders, will take to the stage in Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be at the Theatre Royal in Stratford East. The musical, created in the 1950s by Lionel Bart who went on to write hit show, Oliver!, will also star Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp.

The show which is a Cockney comedy set in a club in Fifties Soho in London, will see Jessie singing, and she's just started rehearsals with her fellow cast members.

"Jessie Wallace is stunning in it," says Gary Kemp. "Her voice is incredible - goosebumps came up - so full of character, it's wonderful."

Jessie, who will be fitting in rehearsals and performances around her EastEnders filming commitments is excited by her new role.

"I was so eager to do it," she says. "I just had to do it, it's just so exciting. I love things that are challenging. It's a great role. I'm an ex-prostitute and now a hostess. It's what goes on in the underground world."

The musical which launched the career of ex EastEnders star Barbara Windsor in 1959 during its original run, is on at the Theatre Royal Stratford East from May 8 to June 8.