Shane Richie celebrates the re-opening of London’s West End alongside Magic Mike Live stars

Shane Richie took to the streets to celebrate the re-opening of London’s West End following the lifting of further lockdown restrictions on Monday. 

The former EastEnders actor, 57, stood in Piccadilly Circus and cheered for the return of the capital’s arts and culture district surrounded by fellow performers from Magic Mike Live and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. 

Theaters and hospitality venues can now welcome 1,000 audience members, or half their capacity, whichever is lower, according to government guidelines.  

Hooray! Shane Richie took to the streets to celebrate the re-opening of London’s West End alongside his Everybody’s Talking About Jamie co-star Noah Thomas on Monday

Shane looked overjoyed as he posed on one leg and threw out some jazz hands on the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain. 

He kept things casual in jeans, a plaid shirt and brown suede boots, while his Everybody’s Talking About Jamie co-star Noah Thomas glammed up for the occasion in towering red stilettos and a glittery fringed denim jacket. 

The pair whooped and clapped as a ceremonious red ribbon was cut to mark the long-awaited re-opening of London’s theater district. 

They were joined by a whole host of key industry figures for the momentous occasion, including Magic Mike Live stars Aaron Witter and Jake Brewer, Death Drop actress Holly Stars and Westminster Councillor Matthew Green. 

Celebrate: Shane looked overjoyed as he whooped and cheered in Piccadilly Circus in jeans and a plaid shirt while Noah glammed up for the occasion in towering red stilettos

Celebrate: Shane looked overjoyed as he whooped and cheered in Piccadilly Circus in jeans and a plaid shirt while Noah glammed up for the occasion in towering red stilettos

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie will be one of the first major musicals to reopen in London and will lift its curtain to punters on Thursday. 

With the return of hit show, Shane will resume his role as Hugo and the character’s drag queen alter ego Loco Chanelle. 

The musical, which will run at the Apollo Theatre, follows Jamie New, who is 16 and doesn’t quite fit in, with the teenager set on becoming a drag queen instead of pursuing a ‘real’ career. 

Uncertain about his future, Jamie knows one thing for sure – that he is going to be a performing sensation.

Supported by his loving mum and his amazing friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight.       

Overjoyed: They were joined by a whole host of key industry figures for the momentous occasion, including (L-R) Westminster Council's Matthew Green, Magic Mike Live stars Aaron Witter and Jake Brewer and Death Drop actress Holly Stars

Overjoyed: They were joined by a whole host of key industry figures for the momentous occasion, including (L-R) Westminster Council’s Matthew Green, Magic Mike Live stars Aaron Witter and Jake Brewer and Death Drop actress Holly Stars

The musical was originally staged at The Crucible in Sheffield in 2017 before moving to London’s West End later that year with most of the original cast returning.

Talking about resuming his role earlier this year after his I’m A Celebrity appearance, Shane said: ‘I can’t wait to swap my castle walking boots for a pair of high heels and return to Everybody’s Talking About Jamie as Hugo / Loco Chanelle. 

‘After 2020 we could all do with little bit of glitter in the grey,’ he added. 

While producer, Nica Burns, said: ‘We are delighted that Shane Richie is returning to sprinkle his special star dust on the role of Hugo/Loco Chanelle. What a treat!’

Clearly eager to get back to business, Shane took to Twitter last Monday to write: ‘The countdown has started,’ alongside a photo of him in drag as Loco Chanelle. 

Coming soon: Everybody's Talking About Jamie will be one of the first major musicals to reopen in London and will lift its curtain to punters on Thursday

Coming soon: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie will be one of the first major musicals to reopen in London and will lift its curtain to punters on Thursday

'The countdown has started': Shane will resume his role as Hugo and the character's drag queen alter ego Loco Chanelle in the hit show

‘The countdown has started’: Shane will resume his role as Hugo and the character’s drag queen alter ego Loco Chanelle in the hit show 

Nominated for five Laurence Olivier Awards in 2018, the production won Best New Musical that year at the WhatsOnStage Awards.

In October, a trailer of the hotly-anticipated film adaption of the musical was released with Richard E. Grant playing Shane’s Hugo/ Loco Chanelle character.

The movie also stars Catastrophe co-creator and star Sharon Horgan as Jamie’s teacher Miss Hedge while Happy Valley’s Sarah Lancashire will appear as his mother, Margaret. 

Excitement: 'after 2020 we could all do with little bit of glitter in the grey,' Shane said of his return to the musical, which he also performed in as the same character in 2019

Excitement: ‘after 2020 we could all do with little bit of glitter in the grey,’ Shane said of his return to the musical, which he also performed in as the same character in 2019