(Image: Stuart Boulton)
A County Durham singer who shot to fame on the first series of Pop Idol has landed one of musical theatre's most iconic roles.
Zoe Birkett will portray Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act: The Musical next year, the Pop Idol star has announced.
Speaking to Rylan Clark on his BBC Radio 2 show on Saturday (October 17), Consett-born Birkett said: "Have you got a party popper ready?"
After revealing she would play the role of Deloris Van Cartier, Clark and Birkett excitedly celebrated together.
Birkett sang a snippet of Fabulous, Baby!, and Clark said: "If there was ever a role for this woman."
Birkett said she "can't wait," and that a formal announcement was due to be released tomorrow (October 20).
The official announcement will include pictures and further cast details, as well as the musical's specific base in London.
Clark joked: "If this ain't going to West End, we riot."
Birkett said: "It's London, and it's going to be somewhere else, but all can be revealed on Tuesday."
Raised in Darlington, Birkett attended Amanda McGlynn Academy in Middlesbrough before she left the North East for Lorraine Murray Dance School.
She first rose to fame after finishing fourth on Pop Idol's first series in 2001, aged 16. She began her musical theatre career in pantomimes, and has regularly appeared in West End productions since 2009.
Her credits include Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Tina - The Tina Turner Musical, Moulin Rouge! The Musical and The Bodyguard.
Consett-born Birkett has been a regular feature on the West End since 2009. (Image: Stuart Boulton)
Birkett has received widespread praise throughout her career, including a WhatsOnStage Award nomination for Best Takeover while portraying Tina Turner.
She joined Take That’s Circus Live tour in summer 2026, providing guest vocals on their hit song Relight My Fire.
Further details about Birkett's appearance in Sister Act: The Musical will be revealed on Tuesday (October 20), she said, including more details about the cast and location.