Alexandra Burke to join cast of The Bodyguard stage show

Former X Factor winner, Alexandra Burke, will join the cast of the hit West End musical The Bodyguard this summer, to play Oscar-nominated superstar Rachel Marron – the role made famous by Whitney Houston in the 1992 film.

Burke who will replace British Queen of Soul, Beverley Knight, from 2 June said: “I couldn’t be more excited about joining the cast of The Bodyguard and to play the iconic role of Rachel Marron will be a dream come true. I am a massive Whitney Houston fan so to be given the opportunity to play a role made famous by her every night will be a real privilege.  I start rehearsals very soon with my fellow cast mates and the brilliant creative team and, with a little trepidation, I am looking forward to our first performance in June.”

Directed by Thea Sharrock, The Bodyguard is set run at London’s Aldephi Theatre until 30 August 2014 and features rendition of Houston classics including So Emotional, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, One Moment In Time and one of the greatest hit songs of all time: I Will Always Love You.

Three-time Brit nominee Alexandra Burke rose to fame after winning the fifth series of The X Factor.   Her debut number one single Hallelujah sold over one million copies in the UK, a first for a British female soloist.  Burke’s first album, Overcome saw the release of her subsequent number one singles Bad Boys and Start Without You.  In 2011 she embarked on her first solo tour and was invited by Beyoncé to support her I Am… Tour.  Her second album, Heartbreak on Hold, was released in June 2012 and later this year sees the release of her third studio album.