Nicole Scherzinger has announced a leading role in the West End

Nicole Scherzinger is to star as Norma Desmond in a major new West End production Sunset Blvd.

Inspired by the 1950 film of the same name, the musical features songs by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber and first opened in the West End 30 years ago.

Norma is a silent film star whose career is on the wane, and she teams up with an eager young screenwriter named Joe Gillis as they both strive to reach the heights of Hollywood stardom.

Scherzinger is teaming up with Jamie Lloyd, who will direct, for a strictly limited 16-week run starting in September at the Savoy Theater in central London. Tickets are expected to go on sale next month and additional information is available here.

During his career, Lloyd has worked on stage with film and television stars including James McAvoy, Emilia Clarke, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston, Zoe Ashton and Claire Foy.

He said: “Following our re-imagining of Evita at the Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park, I am very excited to rediscover another iconic Lloyd Webber musical – and Sunset Blvd is one of his most exciting, complex and atmospheric scores.

“We are so happy to have the opportunity to create a new production of this captivating piece with the extraordinary Nicole Scherzinger.”

Lloyd Webber added: “Nicole is one of the best singers I have ever worked with and I can’t wait to start this exciting show with her and the rest of this brilliant team.”

Best known as a member of the Pussycat Dolls, Scherzinger’s career spanned television, film and theater. She was a judge in The X factor on both sides of the Atlantic and is currently a member of the panel of The masked singer in USA.

Her West End debut in 2014 as Grizabella in Cats earned her an Olivier Award nomination.

The original London production of Sunset Blvd starring Patti LuPone as Norma, while Glenn Close has also played the character on Broadway and, in a 2016 semi-staged production, in the West End.

Additionally, an expansion to the Savoy Theater is coming up this summer A small lifethe play based on Hanya Yanagihara’s Booker Prize-nominated novel.

Starring Happy Valleyis James Norton s This is a sinOmari Douglas, Bridgertonis Luke Thompson and The Witcherzack wyatt is A small life will move from the Harold Pinter Theater for performances in July and early August.