Chicago calls for Curly

It's a long way from Weatherfield to Chicago, but Coronation Street's Kevin Kennedy has made the journey to star in the West End's hit musical.

Kennedy, who played Norman "Curly" Watts in Coronation Street for 20 years, is the latest soap star to join the musical in London.

This year, former EastEnders actress Anita Dobson appeared as Mama Morton in the show, which is now in its seventh year in the West End.

Kennedy, 39, left the Street in September after his character moved to Newcastle in emotional final scenes.

The door is still open for him to make a return but now the actor has signed up to make his West End stage debut in the high-kicking musical, which is full of scandal, treachery and adultery.

He will star as Amos Hart at the Adelphi Theatre in a 15-week run from 2 February.

In Coronation Street, Curly was famously put-upon by the women in his life, including wife Raquel - played by Sarah Lancashire - who walked out on him. So his new role as the husband of the duplicitous, cheating, murdering Roxie Hart seems appropriate.

Kennedy impressed the show's producers when he auditioned for the role. A spokesman said: "He acted superbly. It's a great character for him because he looks so right for it." The actor has a little-known musical background. As a teenager, he played guitar in a group with Johnny Marr and Andy Rourke, who went on to form cult band The Smiths with singer Morrissey.

Chicago has been a constant sell-out success in London, with star performers including Denise Van Outen, Ruthie Henshall, Claire Sweeney, Marti Pellow and Gaby Roslin.

Amos Hart has previously been played in the West End by Young Ones star Nigel Planer, ex-Dr Who Peter Davison, and comedian Les Dennis.

Kennedy will appear alongside Tiffany Graves, who plays Velma Kelly, and Alex Bourne as Billy Flynn.