Rula steps into Osbournes' shoes

The Osbournes' roles will be played by a variety of actresses

Actress Rula Lenska has stepped in at the last minute to replace Sharon and Aimee Osbourne in the West End production of The Vagina Monologues.

The Osbournes pulled out on Friday night because Aimee, 21, is suffering from an undisclosed illness.

The pair apologised for "letting the cast down" and flew back to Los Angeles so Aimee could receive treatment.

Lenska will take on both roles for a week when it opens on Tuesday night at London's Wyndham's Theatre.

Opening night

After Lenska's run, the roles will be shared among Christine Hamilton, Claire Sweeney, Alison Newman, former EastEnders actresses Lucy Speed and Anita Dobson, and M People singer Heather Small.

Many of them have never appeared in the show before.

Sharon Osbourne was due to appear in the show from Tuesday

Producers Mark Goucher and Sally Greene faced a last-minute rush to replace the Osbournes' after their decision to pull out four days before opening night.

A statement said: "The producers of The Vagina Monologues were shocked to discover a press release had been issued on Friday night saying that Sharon and Aimee Osborne were withdrawing from the show.

"No communication has been made to them from Sharon Osbourne, her agent or her management to either inform them or discuss this development.

"With Aimee afflicted by an undisclosed illness and unable to appear in the show, the producers have had to seek alternate casting to replace her role."

The Osbournes' said in their statement on Friday: "Sharon and Aimee were both very much looking forward to appearing in the show but Sharon's focus now has to be on the family and, more importantly, Aimee's health."

Lenska will appear in the Vagina Monologues with comedian Jenny Eclair and The Bill star Diane Parish.