Theakston joins Art cast

Jamie Theakston: In the headlines

TV presenter Jamie Theakston is to make his West End debut as an actor next month.

He is joining the cast of Art at the Whitehall Theatre, alongside former Emmerdale actor Stephen McGann and Christopher Luscombe.

They will be part of the 24th cast of the popular show, and their first appearance will be on 4 March and will coincide with the 2,400th performance.

Theakston hit the headlines earlier this year when a newspaper reported he had visited a vice club.

The presenter, who tried to block the reports, later said he was tricked into visiting the club and then was blackmailed after being photographed.

Radio show

He admitted becoming involved with the prostitute in London after a Christmas party, but said things "went too far".

He said he was a "single guy" and had not broken the law.

He split from actress Joely Richardson last year after a high-profile relationship.

Theakston is a former presenter of children's TV show Live and Kicking and currently presents Top of the Pops and a Saturday radio show on BBC Radio 1.

He also presents Channel 4's The Priory, alongside Zoe Ball, and BBC's Holiday: You Call The Shots.