West End for rising star Kelle

A talented Shropshire actress has landed a role in the new West End musical based on the cult television hit Bad Girls.

Kelle Marie Walters will play a female prisoner in the production which opens at London's Garrick Theatre on September 12.

Her mother Debbie, from Telford, said today the former Blessed Robert Johnson student was delighted to have landed her first West End contract after a year packed with auditions.

Kelle, 24, graduated from ArtsEd College in London in August with hopes of fulfiling a lifetime's ambition to become a musical theatre star.

"She is so excited about this part," added Debbie. "I went down to see her at the weekend after she heard the news because rehearsals start now and I know I won't get to see her much while she is getting ready for the show."

Kelle was a member of the Theatre of Gifted Youth in Telford and also took part in several productions and programmes at Oakengates Theatre.

"She has wanted to be on the stage since she was a little girl," said Debbie. "I am so proud of what she has achieved.

"She really deserves this because she has been to audition after audition over the last year and it is a pretty tough industry to work in. It is so competitive but now she has a 12-month contract and will also be stepping in for some of the leading roles when people are on holiday."

Bad Girls The Musical was penned by Maureen Chadwick and Ann McManus - the duo behind the original ITV drama.