DIANA VICKERS the 2008 X Factor finalist and star of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice in the West End is one of the headliners in a new tour of The Rocky Horror Show which will play Sunderland Empire in February and York Opera House in April.

Since its first appearance at the Royal Court Theatre in June 1973, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show has become one of the world’s favourite Rock 'N’ Roll musicals. It has in more than 30 countries and has been translated into at least 20 languages. Director Christopher Luscombe created a new production to celebrate the 40th anniversary and this version will feature Vickers in the sexy role of Janet Weiss plus S Club 7 star Paul Cattermole as Eddie and Dr. Scott; Emmerdale actor Ben Freeman as Brad Majors. Following a run of 900 performances in the 40th Anniversary Global Tour, Kristian Lavercombe returns as Riff Raff. The all-important casting of Narrator and other roles will be announced soon.

The show is currently selling out in Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Japan and Austria and tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank'n’Furter by chance when their car breaks down outside his house while on their way to visit their former college professor. It is an adventure they’ll never forget, with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity, bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits... and that's only in the audience.

* February 15 to 20, 2016. Sunderland Empire Theatre. Box Office: 0844-871-3022

* April 11 to16, 2016. York Opera House. 0844-871-3024

Viv Hardwick