Cheryl announces huge new career move as she makes comeback
She's taking over from Laura Whitmore
There was a point in life where you couldn't listen to the radio, watch the TV, or read newspapers and magazines without hearing or seeing Cheryl Tweedy, with the Geordie girl being the 'nation's sweetheart' during her time as a judge on The X Factor.
But after leaving the show and taking a break from music, the former Girls Aloud singer has been very quiet in recent years, enjoying motherhood with her son Bear Grey Payne, and only attending select events.
HOWEVER, it appears that is all about to change, as Cheryl is making a comeback to the spotlight with a very different type of career path.
She's not releasing new music or judging on a TV talent show, Cheryl is in fact taking over from Laura Whitmore in West End play 2:22 A Ghost Story.
Announcing the news on her Instagram page, 39-year-old Chez told fans: 'Hey!!! .. I am SO excited to be starring in the west end thriller @222aghoststory !! I will be playing the role of Jenny from January - April! I went to see the show with a previous cast and LOVED IT!
'It is a totally new and exciting experience for me so if you’re looking for a fun night out & some entertainment in your new year tickets are available now….whenever you’re ready 😉!! 👻 #222aghoststory'. (sic)
Cheryl will play the role of Jenny in the show, which has previously been played by Lily Allen, Giovanna Fletcher and Laura Whitmore.
It sounds like former Love Island host Laura Whitmore is thrilled for her, writing: 'It’s the best!!! You’re going to love it ❤️xx'.
BFF Kimberly Walsh commented: 'Woop woop 🙌🏼 CANNOT WAIT 🥳'. with Giovanna Fletcher adding: 'Whoooooop!!! A fresh Jenny dance! Welcome to the family. Xx'.
Todrick Hall then wrote: 'Omg I’ll be there! Congrats friend! AHHHHHH', with Emmerdale actress Amy Walsh adding; 'Oh my GODDDDDDD!!! 🙌🙌🙌'. (sic)
Rylan Clark then wrote: 'OH MY GAAAD'. (sic)
Check out Cheryl's extensive career below:
British Gas Advert
Cheryl started her rise to fame at the age of just seven, bagging herself a role in a advert for British Gas and looking very cute in the process!
Popstars: The Rivals
In 2002, Cheryl auditioned for ITV talent show Popstars: The Rivals, impressing judges Pete Waterman, Louis Walsh and Geri Halliwell with her charm and vocals at the time.
At the age of just 19, Cheryl progressed through the rounds and ended up landing a place in Girls Aloud alongside Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts, Sarah Harding and Kimberley Walsh, with the girl band beating boy band One True Voice to land the Christmas Number One spot with their debut single 'Sound of the Underground'.
Girls Aloud
After being formed on Popstars: The Rivals, Girls Aloud went on to achieve massive success across the UK and around Europe, gaining an impressive twenty consecutive top ten hits, four number ones and six top ten albums.
As well as record sales, Cheryl and the rest of her Girls Aloud band mates took part in six arena tours, performing hits like 'The Promise', 'Love Machine', 'Call The Shots', and 'Can't Speak French'.
In July 2009, Girls Aloud announced they would be taking a hiatus in order to pursue their solo careers.
Solo career
Whilst Girls Aloud were on their hiatus, Cheryl delved into the world of solo stardom, releasing her debut solo single 'Fight For This Love' in 2009, followed by her debut solo album '3 Words'.
Cheryl went on to enjoy a very successful career as a solo artist, landing a massive five Number 1 singles in the UK Charts, with hits like 'Call My Name', 'Promise This', 'Crazy Stupid Love', and 'I Don't Care'.
The singer also embarked on a massive arena tour, and collaborated with stars such as Tinie Tempah, Wretch 32, and good friend will.i.am.
The X Factor UK
Cheryl's became the nation's sweetheart in 2008 when she joined the judging panel of The X Factor alongside Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh.
The singer went on to mentor both Alexandra Burke and Joe McElderry to win the show, before leaving in 2011.
The X Factor USA
It was later revealed Cheryl had left the UK version of The X Factor to appear as a judge on The X Factor USA, with friend Simon Cowell landing her the prestigious role.
However, after just a number of weeks, it was revealed that Cheryl had been dropped from the panel, with Simon later admitting he wish he'd kept her.
Speaking to the Radio Times, Simon said, "If I could go back in time I would have kept her on the show. It was stupid doing what I did.
"I didn't sack her personally. That was the second-biggest mistake I made."
Girls Aloud reunion
Following a three-year hiatus, Cheryl and the rest of Girls Aloud announced they would be reuniting for their 10th year anniversary in 2012!
The band released a brand new album called 'Ten', which included two brand new singles called 'Something New' and 'Beautiful 'Cause You Love Me', and embarked on their Ten: The Hits Tour.
Girls Aloud split
After a successful reunion tour, just hours after their final performance on stage in Liverpool on the 20th March 2013, Girls Aloud released a statement confirming the band would be splitting up.
X Factor UK return
After making up with Simon Cowell following her exit from the US version, Cheryl returned to The X Factor UK judging panel in 2014 for two more series.
Time off for baby Bear
Following one of the worst kept pregnancies secrets in the world of showbiz, Cheryl and her now ex-boyfriend Liam Payne welcomed a baby boy in March 2017, calling him Bear Grey Payne.
Following Bear's birth, Cheryl decided to take a step away from the spotlight to bond with her son, and to this day the former couple have decided to keep his life largely out of the public eye.
Cheryl's Trust
In 2018, Cheryl joined forced with The Princes Trust to open a state-of-the-art centre in the heart of her hometown of Newcastle, in order to help disadvantaged young people to get their lives back on track.
Speaking about the amazing project, Cheryl said, "I'm proud of where I grew up but I'm only too aware of the challenges that young people face. Opportunities often seem pretty limited and I saw so many friends who had loads of potential fall into a life of alcohol, drugs and crime. Too many young people are wasting their lives away because they feel they have no one to turn to."
More solo music
After a four year break from music, in November 2018, just months after her split from One Direction singer Liam Payne, Cheryl returned to the scene with her brand new single 'Love Made Me Do It'.
The singer later went on to release 'Let You' in the summer of 2019, which turned out to be her last release.
L'Oreal
Cheryl worked with beauty brand L'Oreal Paris for a massive nine years, and in late 2019 she walked the runway at Paris Fashion Week.
The Greatest Dancer
In early 2019, Cheryl joined the panel for Simon Cowell's BBC show The Greatest Dancer. Cheryl sat alongside Glee star Matthew Morrison and Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse.
The dance-enthusiast returned for a second series in 2020, but after the series ended, it was later revealed the show has been axed due to low viewing figures.
2:22 A Ghost Story
Cheryl announced in December 2022 that she would be taking over from Laura Whitmore in West End play 2:22 A Ghost Story. Cheryl played the role of Jenny between January-April 2023, with amazing reviews from both fans and critics.
Girls Aloud reunite in 2023
10 years after their split, Girls Aloud announced in November 2023 that they were reuniting with a huge arena tour in 2024 in celebration of the late Sarah Harding. Speaking about the reunion, Cheryl said of Sarah's absence: "The fact that we're here now and she's not is heartbreaking. It's never going to be the same."
Since releasing her last solo album 'Only Human' in 2014, Cheryl has kept herself mainly out of the spotlight, only posting on her social media pages a handful of times.
Following the sad passing of her friend Sarah Harding in 2021, Cheryl reunited with the Girls Aloud stars Kimberly Walsh, Nadine Coyle and Nicola Roberts, to help raise money for Cancer Research by taking part in Race for Sarah Harding, and The Primrose Ball.
Back in October, following the fundraising ball, Cheryl wrote on Instagram: 'After an intensely emotional (& quite stressful) year of planning & organisation we managed to fulfil our last promise to Sarah 💗🙏🏼'. (sic)
She added: 'None of us can fight this awful disease by ourselves but by coming together, leaning on each other and fighting side by side we can surely try.
'We are deeply grateful and touched by each person that helped in our endeavour and are incredibly proud to say we have reached our target goal, making us able to fund the entire study !!.. and also help in other ways for those currently suffering through harsh treatments 🙏🏼
'To our host Fearne Cotton , and special guest performers Ricky Wilson, Will Young and Olly Alexander you have no idea how much weight you lifted off of our shoulders and how much light & warmth you brought into that room 🌸 💫
'I will be forever grateful for your time & generosity 🥹💗
'Every single attendee & person that contributed in any way no matter how big or small THANKYOU! 🙏🏼 You have literally helped in the fight to change the lives of others !!
'Our pjs are also flying off the shelves .. 🥹 which means the people still suffering can be helped in Sarah’s honour too 🙏🏼 - the more we raise the more can do to help others with breast cancer.
'I am blown away that even in these current times & circumstances people are still willing to think of how to help support others in this continuous fight. We’ll get there together. One step at a time 🤝'. (sic)
Tickets to see Cheryl play Jenny 2:22 A Ghost Story between January-April 2023 are available to buy now.
Now read:
Cheryl: Everything you need to know about the Girls Aloud singer
Cheryl's rise to fame: An extensive look at her amazing career
Girls Aloud: The girl band's biggest career moments