British television personality and choreographer Craig Revel Horwood is set to return to the theatre stage in a new touring production of Sister Act, taking on the role of Mother Superior.
The 61-year-old, widely recognised for his long-standing position as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing, will feature in the musical adaptation of the popular 1992 comedy film. The production is scheduled to tour the United Kingdom and Ireland from September 2027 to March 2028.
Horwood’s appointment brings him back to a production with which he is already familiar. He previously directed and choreographed a UK tour of Sister Act in 2015, giving him experience with the musical beyond his television career.
The story centres on Deloris Van Cartier, a lounge singer who is forced to seek refuge in a convent after witnessing a crime. While living among the nuns, she helps revitalise their choir, setting off a series of humorous and transformative events.
West End performer and former Pop Idol contestant Zoe Birkett has been cast as Deloris, a role originally played by Whoopi Goldberg in the film. Comedian Paul Chuckle will also join the production as Monsignor O’Hara.
The new tour is expected to begin in London in September 2027 before visiting several other cities, including Sunderland, Sheffield, Dublin, Manchester and Birmingham. Additional stops are planned for Cardiff, Nottingham, Brighton, Belfast and Derry.
The production adds to Horwood’s extensive theatre résumé. His previous stage appearances include Munkustrap in Cats, Dance Captain in Miss Saigon and Miss Hannigan in Annie. He was also part of the original cast of Crazy For You.
His work as a choreographer has earned him Olivier Award nominations for the musicals Spend, Spend, Spend and My One And Only.
Horwood has served as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing since the BBC programme debuted in 2004, making him the longest-serving member of its judging panel.
Away from television and theatre, he is also an author. His debut novel, Dances And Dreams On Diamond Street, was published in 2020.
His casting as Mother Superior marks another significant addition to a career spanning television, choreography and musical theatre, as audiences prepare for the latest touring version of the much-loved production.
