Ruthie rides back into town

After three years on Broadway, Ruthie Henshall returns to the West End to star in Peggy Sue Got Married, the stage musical version of Francis Ford Coppola's 1986 film.

Henshall, who stars alongside Tim Howar and Andrew Kennedy in the musical, said: "I came back from New York, where I have been living for nearly three years, especially for this. Once I read the script and heard the music I was hooked.î

The 34-year-old, who is single and living in Mayfair, turned her back two years ago on her family, friends, fiancé John Gordon Sinclair and a glittering career on the West End stage to pursue a childhood dream of seeing her name in lights on Broadway.

But she said she was happy to be home, adding: "I am so excited about this musical and to be back in Britain. It was my dream to make it on Broadway for a long time. I had to get it out of my system."

The £2million show - composed by Bob Gaudio and with lyrics by the film's writers Jerry Leichtling and Arlene Sarner - opens at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 20 August.