{"id":6893,"date":"2025-11-07T12:52:10","date_gmt":"2025-11-07T13:52:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/?p=6893"},"modified":"2025-11-10T12:28:02","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T12:28:02","slug":"eurovision-star-shocks-fans-after-announcing-west-end-debut-as-jesus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/07\/eurovision-star-shocks-fans-after-announcing-west-end-debut-as-jesus\/","title":{"rendered":"Eurovision star shocks fans after announcing West End debut as Jesus"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\t\t\"Mandatory\t<\/div>
Sam Ryder is set to make his West End debut next year (Picture: Tolga Akmen\/ EPA\/ Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Eurovision<\/a> star Sam Ryder<\/a> has announced his next surprising career move \u2013 playing Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

The singer came to prominence <\/a>during the pandemic after posting music covers on TikTok<\/a>, before being approached to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest<\/a> in 2022 \u2013 where he came second<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Last night Sam 36, wrapped up his current Road to Wembley<\/a> tour, with the singer now showing no signs of slowing down.<\/p>\n

Today it was revealed he will be making his West End debut in a production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the London<\/a> Palladium next year.<\/p>\n

The musical was created by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Making its debut on Broadway in 1971, it follows the final days of the Messiah through the eyes of Judas and previously ran for over eight years in London after it premiered in 1972.<\/p>\n

Some of its most notable songs include I Don\u2019t Know How to Love Him, Gethsemane and Superstar.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Singer\t<\/div>
The performer, who rose to fame representing the UK at Eurovision, will be starring in Jesus Christ Superstar (Picture: Marco Bertorello\/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DQv6yVAjeee\/?hl=en<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

In a press release announcing the news, Sam shared: \u2018I\u2019m so excited to be part of one of the biggest institutions in musical theatre the world\u2019s ever known, at The London Palladium in the West End!<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m honoured to take on this responsibility as I follow in the footsteps of rock vocal titans like Ian Gillan and John Farnham. I can’t wait to immerse myself in the word of Jesus Christ Superstar in 2026.\u2019<\/p>\n

Meanwhile producer Michael Harrison said: \u2018It is thrilling to be bringing this astounding creative team from the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production back together, and I am excited to see them create Jesus Christ Superstar specially for The London Palladium.<\/p>\n

\u2018In Sam we have a true superstar to play the iconic title role, and I look forward to sharing further announcements about the production in the coming months.\u2019<\/p>\n

Performances will begin on June 20 and run until September 5, 2026.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"LONDON,\t<\/div>
Fans said he was the ‘perfect’ person for the role (Picture: Gareth Cattermole\/ Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The production will reunite creatives from the show\u2019s 2016 run at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, including director Tim Sheader, designer Tom Scutt, and choreographer Drew McOnie, who is now the artistic director at the outdoor venue.<\/p>\n

Posting on Instagram<\/a>, Sam also simply told his 4.2 million followers: \u2018Secret\u2019s out.\u2019<\/p>\n

Reacting to the news, many expressed their excitement at the casting.<\/p>\n

\u2018Sam was made for this role!! Dreams do come true!\u2019 Jenny commented on Instagram.<\/p>\n

\u2018Absolutely incredible casting!!\u2019 Sam declared.<\/p>\n

\u2018He is going to be the absolute best for this role!!! What fantastic news!!! Good luck Sam!!!\u2019 Linda shared.<\/p>\n

\u2018Oh my goodness!!!! D\u2019yu what\u2019s crazy? At Sam\u2019s Wembley show lastnight when he first appeared on stage with SunRise – I was thinking \u2018it\u2019s giving Jesus from JC Superstar entrance\u2019 how crazy that this news comes on today!\u2019 Beth added.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"LONDON,\t<\/div>
Jesus Christ Superstar: The Concert was previously staged at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in 2020 (Picture: David Jensen\/ Getty Images via Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Meanwhile Zoe Ball<\/a> also said, \u2018hell yeah!\u2019 while fellow Eurovision artist Sheldon Riley said \u2018YESSSSS\u2019.<\/p>\n

Sam\u2019s song Space Man soared at Eurovision, with the singer becoming the highest scoring UK entrant ever with 466 points. He won the jury vote and came in second place in the contest overall.<\/p>\n

In the years since Sam went on to release of his debut album There’s Nothing but Space, Man!, which debuted atop of the UK Albums Chart. His second album, Heartland, was released in October.<\/p>\n

The Regent\u2019s Park Open Air Theatre production of Jesus Christ Superstar previously won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival. It then transferred to the Barbican and toured the UK and US<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The original production starred Jeff Fenholt in the title role, with others including Paul Nicholas and John Legend going on to star in the titular role <\/a>for different adaptations.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"US-ENTERTAINMENT-FILM-AWARD-OSCARS-ARRIVALS\"\t<\/div>
Cynthia Erivo starred in the Hollywood Bowl’s production of the show this summer (Picture: Angela Weiss\/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Earlier this year Wicked actress Cynthia Erivo<\/a> shrugged off criticism after she was announced to be playing Jesus<\/a> in the the Hollywood Bowl\u2019s staging, which was held in August.<\/p>\n

Asked by Billboard about the backlash to a Black queer woman taking on the role, she declared: \u2018Why not?\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018You can\u2019t please everyone. It is legitimately a three-day performance at the Hollywood Bowl where I get to sing my face off.<\/p>\n

\u2018So hopefully they will come and realise, \u201cOh, it\u2019s a musical, the gayest place on Earth\u201d.\u2019<\/p>\n

Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff<\/a> page – we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n


\n\t\t\tComment now<\/title><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-comments__label\">Comments<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a><a class=\"metro-button share-bar-preferred-source\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/metro.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span><title>Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/title><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-preferred-source__label\">Add as preferred source<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/a><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sam Ryder is set to make his West End debut next year (Picture: Tolga Akmen\/ EPA\/ Shutterstock) Eurovision star Sam Ryder has announced his next surprising career move \u2013 playing Jesus Christ. The singer came to prominence during the pandemic after posting music covers on TikTok, before being approached to represent the UK at the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6731,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6893","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6893","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6893"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6893\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6900,"href":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6893\/revisions\/6900"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6731"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6893"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6893"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6893"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}