Russell Grant To Take Over As THE WIZARD OF OZ After Departure Of Michael Crawford?

The Wizard of Oz's latest newsletter tells us that Michael Crawford's replacement will be announced shortly but until that time the casting is "strictly confidential" - so does that mean Russell Grant is in the frame to take over?

It would certainly make sense. 

After his success in Strictly Come Dancing last autumn, he seems to be returning to his theatrical roots, starring in next week's Children of Eden gala at the Prince Edward Theatre.

And now rumours are suggesting that he could be heading across town to the London Palladium after Crawford leaves the production at the start of February - although the company are staying tight-lipped on the matter and have not yet confirmed or denied the story.

He's already confirmed that he will be guesting in Raymond Gubbay's production of HMS Pinafore, playing in the Barbican, Manchester and Birmingham between March 11 and 18.

Sources tell us that he's also planning to take his one-man show to Edinburgh this summer, and is currently being bombarded with offers of work!

He found international fame through becoming the Astrologer Royal but before that he had a very successful career in theatre, TV and film. His first role was for the very successful BBC TV’s Wednesday Play – he played a Welsh boy intent on arson! From here on to On The Buses, Please Sir!, The Fenn Street Gang, all the Doctor series starring both Barry Evans and Robin Nedwell.

For over 10 years he appeared in classics such as Canterbury Tales for BBC TV starring Joss Ackland and Barbara Jefford and was in the first ever colour TV production the BBC’s Gazette. His first stage appearance was at the New Theatre Cardiff. He then appeared in stage tours of Ivor Novello’s King’s Rhapsody and Rodger and Hammerstein’s The King and I.

He headed into the West End playing Slogger Williams with Chris Guard, Simon Le Bon and Keith Chegwin - at the time all unknowns - in the musical Tom Brown’s Schooldays. Other West End and National tour productions included Camille (Arts Theatre): Hans Andersen (London Palladium); and Iolanthe. He was also one of the stars in the revival of Lupino Lane’s Me And My Gal at the Forum Theatre in Billingham before it transferred to the West End.

During the period of astrological fame - nine years on BBC Breakfast Time and TV-AM - Russell appeared as Dame in many pantomimes, including the New Cardiff with Ruth Madoc, John Nettles and Andrew O’Connor, the Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford, and Blackpool Grand.

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