Sophie Evans to Take Over as Dorothy in West End's THE WIZARD OF OZ

Sophie Evans has just announced via her Twitter that she will be filling in Danielle Hope's ruby slippers in the West End production of The Wizard of Oz on February 7, 2012.  Evans was the runner up in the BBC reality talent competition show, Over The Rainbow, which tracked Andrew Lloyd Webber's search for his new Dorothy. 

The excited songbird writes: "Sooooo relieved to finally announce IM DOROTHY not alternate or cover! Full time so excited. Patience pays off. Start feb 7th"

No official announcement has been made as to who will be replace Michael Crawford in the role of the Wizard.

Evans attended Tonypandy Community College as a sixth-form student. She appeared in school plays and musicals, and was featured in a Joshua Foundation Show at the Millennium Centre, Cardiff. Evans was also a member of the Mid-Rhondda Operatic Society from a young age to her early teens. She appeared on the 2008 series of ITV's The X Factor. Her other television appearances include The Big Performance (CBBC), The Big Talent Show (S4C) and a centenary documentary about the Tonypandy Riots (BBC Wales). Since 2011 she has been appearing in the West End production of The Wizard of Oz as an alternate to Danielle Hope.