Frankie Bridge graces the stage with Jaime Winstone for 2:22 A Ghost Story gala night –
Frankie Bridge earned a thunderous reception as she took to the stage for a gala night performance of 2:22 A Ghost Story on Wednesday.
The singer, 34, took her bow alongside co-star Jaime Winstone to huge applause at The Apollo Theatre.
Frankie, who took over the role from Sophia Bush, will appear in the play alongside Jaime, who stars as Jenny, from August until the end of the run on 17 September.
She donned a chic mustard suit for the role of Lauren after making her debut in the spooky play on Friday.
And while several stars were in attendance for the glitzy gala night, Frankie’s husband Wayne missed the show, and was instead seen heading to a Liam Gallagher gig in Camden Town.
Stellar: Frankie Bridge earned a thunderous reception as she took to the stage for a gala night performance of 2:22 A Ghost Story on Wednesday
Sensational: The singer took her bow alongside co-star Jaime Winstone to huge applause after her opening night at The Apollo Theatre in front of a slew of stars in attendance
Boys night out! Frankie’s husband Wayne missed the show, and was instead seen heading to a Liam Gallagher gig in Camden Town
After the show, both Frankie and Jaime changed into a glamorous looks for the play’s after party.
The Saturdays star donned a sleek black top with a dramatic black satin skirt as she posed for snaps with Jaime and co-stars Ricky Champ and Clifford Samuel.
Jaime also cut a glamorous figure in an eye-catching red bow jumpsuit as she headed to the post-show party.
Among those who attended the gala night was The Great British Bake Off star Candice Brown, who opted for a stylish frilled green dress.
The star was accompanied by her pal, Dancing On Ice professional Matt Evers.
Lisa Snowdon opted for a black satin blouse and flared trousers, accessorising with gold pointed-toe heels.
Frankie Bridge won praise from fans for her West End debut last week.
Following her first appearance, a fan took to Twitter to pen: ‘Saw 2:22 A Ghost Story last night and it was superb! I was gutted that Sophia Bush wasn’t in it because she was ill but Frankie Bridge was an excellent replacement. Highly recommended.’
Jovial: Wayne was in good spirits as he headed to the concert with his pal
Low-key: The retired footballer cut a casual figure as he headed out for the evening, while Frankie continued her West End run with a gala night performance
Stage star: Frankie, who took over the role from Sophia Bush, will appear in the play alongside Jaime , who stars as Jenny, from August until the end of the run on 17 September
Lauded: She donned a chic mustard suit for the role of Lauren after making her debut in the spooky play on Friday
Acclaim: Frankie has been praised by fans after making her West End debut last week
Stage star! After the gala night performance, Frankie took her bow alongside her co-stars
Glammed up: After the gala night, Frankie and her co-stars Ricky Champ, Jaime and Clifford Samuel posed backstage in their glamorous looks before heading to the after party
Gorgeous! Frankie stunned in a high-neck black top and a dramatic flared satin skirt
Here they are! Frankie and her co-star Jaime were every inch the picture-perfect duo as they enjoyed a cheeky glass of champagne following the show
Others lauded the ‘fantastic’ appearance, in which she plays haunted lead character Jenny’s pal Laura who attends a diner party at her house.
A dedicated follower took to Instagram to pen: ‘Met Frankie after the show tonight. Frank did a fantastic job for her west end debut! I’ve been supporting since the S Club/The Saturdays days in the early 2000’s…
‘I am so proud of her and can’t wait to see the show some more times. I already have the last day booked for both shows. Thank you for stopping, and signing my programme. Go smash it, Frank!!’
Frankie replaced One Tree Hill actress Sophia in the role, after she was forced to cut short her scheduled stint, following a hospital stay.
Sophia has been suffering with an illness since becoming unwell in June, and has jetted home to the USA for medical treatment, upon the advice of doctors.
On joining the cast, Frankie shared the news to her Instagram, posting the promotional photographs as she gushed: ‘I’ve loved 2:22 A Ghost Story since I first saw it, so landing the role of Lauren is a total dream come true.
‘Never one to do things by halves, it’s an honour to be making my West End debut on such a clever, suspense-filled production and I couldn’t be more excited to join the cast who have already made me feel like a part of the family.’
She added in an official statement: ‘Lauren is a joy to play with so many layers and emotions to explore. I can’t wait for you to meet her!’
New addition! Frankie replaced One Tree Hill actress Sophia in the role, after she was forced to cut short her scheduled stint, following a hospital stay
A vision! She wowed in her gorgeous all-black look, teamed with white pointed-toe heels as she posed at the glitzy party
Flawless! Frankie continued to showcase her stylish look as she left the theatre following her glitzy gala performance
Sensation! Jaime opted for a bold red bow jumpsuit as she and Frankie posed for snaps
Best pals! She swept her glossy auburn tresses into a sleek up-do and finished her look with black heels
Flawless: Jaime put on a showstopping display in her red ensemble
Glamour girl! Playwright Danny Robins, who penned the show in 2021, was in attendance for the gala night (pictured with Jaime)
Making a statement! Posing in her bold red outfit, Jaime’s look consisted of a dramatic bowed top and fitted trousers
Last month, producers released a statement that said: ‘Due to illness, Sophia Bush has unfortunately had to withdraw from the production. We are delighted to welcome Frankie Bridge to the 2:22 family.
‘Our talented understudies Gemma Yates and Allie Dart have been covering the role of Lauren on rotation. We are hugely grateful to them for stepping up so brilliantly. They will continue until Frankie begins.’
Sophia added: ‘I am truly gutted that my time in 2:22 A Ghost Story has come to an unexpected and early end. I came down with a virus in June and have not been able to bring my body back to a baseline.
‘After weeks of being intermittently pulled off stage, visiting multiple doctors and spending a night in the Emergency Room, I’ve been advised by expert healthcare specialists that I needed to end my time on stage and be under the care of my doctors at home in the US.
‘I owe a debt of gratitude to my incredible cast mates and to every member of our extraordinary company, who became fast family. It means the world to me that so many fans traveled to London to see the show.
‘If you’re booked for future nights, please still go and support my brilliant costars. They will blow you away! And I know that Frankie Bridge will be astounding as she makes Lauren her own through the rest of this run.
‘There is no greater experience than the stage. I miss it madly. I love it deeply. And I cannot wait for the next one.’
Questions: 2:22 A Ghost Story follows Jenny who believes her new home is haunted, but her husband Sam does not agree
Spooky: They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren and her new partner Ben. Belief and scepticism clash, so they agree to stay until 2.22am
Short-lived: Frankie replaced One Tree Hill actress Sophia in the role, after she was forced to cut short her scheduled stint, following a hospital stay
Stage star: Frankie has transitioned from a pop star in S Club Juniors and The Saturdays to become an author and podcaster who joined the ITV’s Loose Women
Stylish: Among those who attended the gala night was The Great British Bake Off star Candice Brown, who opted for a stylish frilled green dress
Besties! The star was joined by her pal, Dancing On Ice professional Matt Evers
All in black: Lisa Snowdon cut a chic figure in a black satin blouse and flared trousers
Perfect! She showed off her flawless complexion at the gala night
Dressed to impress! First Dates star Cici Coleman donned a plunging black blouse and a fitted leather skirt
Stunner! Sky presenter Hayley Palmer was every inch the lady in red in a scarlet flared dress
Here she is! GB News star Ellie Phillips was a vision in a colourful flared jumpsuit with a halterneck, teamed with white strapped heels
2:22 A Ghost Story follows Jenny who believes her new home is haunted, but her husband Sam does not agree.
They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren and her new partner Ben. Belief and scepticism clash, so they agree to stay until 2.22am.
Frankie has transitioned from a pop star in S Club Juniors and The Saturdays to become an author and podcaster who joined the ITV’s Loose Women as a panellist in 2020.
She was a finalist in I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here and also danced her way to the semi-finals on Strictly Come Dancing in 2014.