Michael Harrison and David Ian announced that joining Burke (and Zoe Birkett as the alternate Rachel Marron) are Stuart Reid as Frank Farmer, Melissa James as Nicki Marron, Mensah Bediako as Bill Devaney, Adam Venus as Sy Spector, Siôn Lloyd as Tony, Mike Denman as The Stalker and Glen Fox as Ray Court.
Rounding out the company are Jade Albertsen, Omari Bernard, Edward Clarke, Jamal Crawford, Lisa Darnell, Kieran Donovan, Lydia Fraser, Lucia Gonzalez, Jamie-Ray Hartshorne, Annie Kitchen, Oliver Roll, Sophie Usher, Matthew Wesley, Emmy Willow and Mark Willshire.
Burke, who won the 54th series of TV's "The X-Factor" and is a three-time Brit Award nominee, saw her debut number-one single "Hallelujah" sell over one million copies in the U.K., a first for a British female soloist. Her first album "Overcome" saw the release of her subsequent number one singles "Bad Boys" and "Start Without You." In 2011 she embarked on her first solo tour and was invited by Beyoncé to support her "I Am... Tour." Her second album, "Heartbreak on Hold," was released in June 2012, and later this year sees the release of her third studio album.
In an earlier press statement, she commented, "I couldn't be happier to be joining the tour and I'm excited to get started. Being on the theatre stage has brought me great happiness. It is an honour to have been asked to join the team and I look forward to creating new and long lasting memories with the cast."
She will perform the role of Rachel Marron at all evening performances. At the matinee performances, the role will be played by Birkett, who is probably best known as the highest-placing female contestant in ITV's "Pop Idol" in 2002. Since then she has appeared in the West End productions of Priscilla Queen of the Desert and originated the female lead in Thriller Live. Other theatre credits include the Acid Queen in Tommy and Maureen in Rent. For full tour dates and to book tickets, visit www.thebodyguardmusical.com.