Andrew Lloyd Webber has unveiled his new Maria - an actress he planted on the soap Hollyoaks.Summer Strallen, 23, has been playing Summer Shaw in the Channel 4 soap since October.
Fans of the soap have seen her pursue her dreams of West End stardom, even stalking Lord Lloyd Webber. In today's episode, she finally impressed Webber.
In reality Strallen, the niece of Bonnie Langford, secured the role in The Sound Of Music six months ago. Strallen previously appeared in Cats.
Over the next month, viewers will watch Strallen rehearse in the run-up to opening night on February 26, when she exits Hollyoaks and makes her debut in London's West End.
She will succeed Connie Fisher, who won the role in the BBC1 talent contest How Do We Solve A Problem Like Maria?
Lloyd Webber said he was approached with the idea before the BBC talent contest was broadcast. Hollyoaks producer Tony Wood suggested blurring reality and fiction when he was working at Coronation Street.
Lloyd Webber said, "I thought, 'Do you know what, it's never been done before and it's funny.'"
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