Kimberly Walsh to Take Over for Amanda Holden in West End's SHREK, October 5

Kimberley Walsh will play the role of Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical from 5 October 2011. Amanda Holden's pregnancy, announced today, means that she performs as Princess Fiona for the final time on Monday 3 October. Kimberley Walsh takes over the role two months earlier than originally planned.

Kimberley Walsh is a member of Girls Aloud one of the UK's most successful pop groups. Alongside Cheryl Cole, Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts and Sarah Harding she has sold 10 million records, released five platinum selling albums, won a Brit award and played sold-out arena tours. Kimberley's love of musical theatre was explored in the ITV2 documentary The Passions of Girls Aloud which culminated in her appearance at the Queens Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue singing On My Own, in the role of Eponine, in Les Miserables. This was the realisation of a life-long dream, having played the role of Young Cosette in a production of Les Miserables when she was twelve years old.

SHREK THE MUSICAL® stars Nigel Lindsay as Shrek, Richard Blackwood as Donkey, Nigel Harman as Lord Farquaad. The production officially opened on June 14, 2011 and immediately become one of London's favourite musicals. It has now played to more than 225,000 people at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane since the first preview performance on Friday May 6, 2011.

Produced by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions, SHREK THE MUSICAL® is based on the story and characters from William Steig's book Shrek! and the Oscar®-winning Dreamworks Animation feature film Shrek, the first chapter in the series of irreverent fairy tales.

SHREK THE MUSICAL® tells the story of the swamp-dwelling ogre who embarks on a life-changing adventure in order to reclaim the deed to his land. Joined by a wise-cracking donkey who won't shut up, this unlikely hero fights a fearsome dragon, rescues the feisty Princess Fiona and learns that real friendship and true love aren't only found in fairy tales. With all-new songs, and an old
favourite in I'm a Believer, this spectacular stage musical brings to life the original film's cast of dysfunctional characters and the accompanying subversive fun.

The Anglo-American creative team is led by directors Jason Moore and Rob Ashford and includes David Lindsay-Abaire (Book and Lyrics), Jeanine Tesori (Music), Tim Hatley (Scenic, Costume and Puppet Design), Hugh Vanstone (Lighting Design), Peter Hylenski (Sound Design), and Josh Prince (Choreography). Tickets are now on sale for performances until October 21, 2012.