TV presenter Justin Lee Collins is to take a starring role in a new West End musical.

The bearded funnyman is in the cast for the UK version of Rock of Ages, which launches this summer after becoming a huge hit in the US.

The show, which features a number of 1980s rock hits, will see Mr Collins playing bar owner and ageing hippy Dennis Dupree. The part was originally played by actor and Tenacious D star Kyle Gass.

Rock fan Mr Collins said: “Being a fan of bands like Whitesnake, Foreigner, Journey and Bon Jovi, I couldn’t resist when I heard about the chance to appear in the show.

“What young lad hasn’t strummed the air guitar to the classic riffs of those poodle-haired rock bands of the Eighties? Now I’ll get to do it on stage every night.”

Previews of Rock Of Ages will begin at the Shaftesbury Theatre on August 31.

Mr Collins appeared briefly in the West End with a performance in Chicago as part of a TV series for Sky in 2009.

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