BARELY has the historic Bristol Hippodrome stage been swept after the last of the stars from the popular pantomime has left, than a new superstar heads into town.

Three-time Brit nominee and X-Factor winner, Alexandra Burke, is starring in the leading role of ‘Rachel Marron’ in the UK and Ireland tour of Thea Sharrock’s hit musical The Bodyguard, which arrives at The Bristol Hippodrome on January 13 and stays until January 30, following a sell-out run at the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End.

Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love. A romantic thriller, The Bodyguard features a host of irresistible classics including Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, I’m Your Baby Tonight, Run to You, I Have Nothing, I Wanna Dance with Somebody and one of the biggest selling songs of all time – I Will Always Love You. Alexandra Burke said "It’s so exciting and I couldn't be happier to be in the tour. Being on the theatre stage has brought me great happiness. It was an honour to be asked to join the team and I am creating new and long lasting memories with the cast."

Alexandra Burke rose to fame after winning the fifth series of The X Factor. Her debut number one single Hallelujah sold over one million copies in the UK, a first for a British female soloist. Burke’s first album, Overcome saw the release of her subsequent number one singles Bad Boys and Start Without You. In 2011 she embarked on her first solo tour and was invited by Beyoncé to support her I Am... Tour. Her second album, Heartbreak on Hold, was released in June 2012 and later this year sees the release of her third studio album.

Alexandra Burke will perform the role of ‘Rachel Marron’ at all evening performances. At the matinee performances, the role of ‘Rachel Marron’ will be played by Zoe Birkett.

Zoe Birkett is probably best known as the highest placing female contestant in ITV’s Pop Idol, 2002. Since then she has appeared in the West End productions of Priscilla Queen of the Desert and originated the female lead in Thriller Live. Her other theatre credits include the Acid Queen in Tommy and Maureen in Rent.

Joining Alexandra Burke as Rachel Marron and Zoe Birkett as the alternate Rachel Marron will be: Stuart Reid as Frank Farmer, Melissa James as Nicki Marron, Mensah Bediako as Bill Devaney, Adam Venus as Sy Spector, Siôn Lloyd as Tony, Mike Denman as The Stalker and Glen Fox as Ray Court.

Stuart Reid appeared in the West End production of The Bodyguard at the Adelphi Theatre.

Based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Oscar nominated Warner Bros. film, The Bodyguard, which starred Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, was nominated for four Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and Best Set Design and won Best New Musical at the Whatsonstage Awards.

The Bodyguard is on at the Bristol Hippodrome from Wednesday 13 to Saturday 30 January 2016. Visit www.atgtickets.com/Bristol for tickets and more details.