Cheryl at Lyric Theatre: Girls Aloud bandmates attend the singer’s London West End debut in 2.22 A Ghost Story

Cheryl made her acting debut in West End’s 2.22: A Ghost Story on Wednesday, after taking over from singer Lily Allen who previously played the lead role in 2021.

The Girl Aloud star, 39, from Newcastle, was left in tears during the press night after being cheered on by Girls Aloud bandmates Kimberly Walsh and Nicola Roberts.

According to the Daily Mail: “Tears could be seen rolling down Cheryl’s cheeks during the curtain call, in which the cast received a standing ovation."

Cheryl, who has 3.4 million followers on Instagram, shared an image of outside the theatre after the show.

She penned the caption: “We had our first preview show of @222aghoststory last night, I am so beyond thankful to all of you for your support and lovely messages… oh and GORGEOUS flowers my dressing room looks like a florist our official opening night is Feb 1st and we’ll be on stage until April 23rd. Can’t wait to see you out there”.

2:22: A Ghost Story is a psychological supernatural thriller, which alongside Cheryl stars former EastEnders actor Jake Wood and theatre stars Scott Karim and Louise Ford.

Speaking to Scarlett Douglas on ITV’s Lorraine, Cheryl revealed that she watched the play before agreeing to be in it.

Cheryl said: “I was actually just blown away by how much I loved it and I wanted to take part in it”.

Cheryl described how when watching the play she felt “weird familiarity” with it and it was possibly because the writer is a fellow Geordie that she felt “it would be a right fit”.

Cheryl joked: “there’s lots of swearing and shouting that helps.”

Cheryl now goes by her first name only after previously going by her maiden name Cheryl Tweedy, then taking on her now ex-husband’s surname’s Cole, then Fernandez-Versini.

Cheryl is a mother to Bear whom she shares with ex-partner One Direction singer Liam Payne.

2.22: A Ghost Story is at the Lyric Theatre Until 23 April 2023.