Having conquered Broadway, Lonan’s leading lady Samantha Barks is heading to the West End to take on the lead role of Elsa in the stage production of Disney’s Frozen.

Miss Barks will take on the starring role, made famous by theatre legend Idina Menzel in the movie of the same name and its sequel.

The show is making the move to the West End in October next year at the Andrew Lloyd Webber-owned Theatre Royal on Drury Lane, which has been undergoing a £60 million programme of restoration and refurbishment.

Miss Barks, who was the surprise guest of this year’s Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence, told her Twitter followers she was ’beyond excited to take on Elsa’.

She said of the character: ’She’s a strong woman, and all of a sudden she’s saying: "I’m not going to hold back any more!" That’s so powerful, especially for a young girl. Actually, not just females...men are touched by that song, too.’

Next year will also see Samantha perform in the musical Chess in Japan.