Springer to star in West End musical

Jerry Springer will make his West End stage debut in 'Chicago' – and joked today that the audience will need to guess which notes he is meant to be singing.

Springer will star as Billy Flynn in the smash hit musical at London’s Cambridge Theatre for a six week season starting in June.

The talk show host, lawyer and former mayor of Cincinnati said he would be doing eight shows a week – and joked there was already a lottery running on which show he would keel over on.

He advised: “So if you want to see me, come early.”

Springer posed for pictures with skimpily-dressed cast members, and gave a press conference with a trace of lipstick remaining from a kiss on his cheek.

He said he loved doing different things and would be “crazy to say no” to a show in the West End.

Springer said: “I’m a lawyer and I’m also in showbusiness. There are elements of the character that I can kind of draw upon I think. Talking to the jury, putting on a big show.”

On his singing abilities Springer joked: “I have a voice for newspapers and a face for radio.

“This is a stretch for the people from Chicago.”

Springer said he planned to have vocal training, adding: “When I sing the audience really gets involved because they will have to guess where the notes were supposed to have been.”

But he said the part was “a do-able role. You don’t need a Pavarotti for that role. I think I can carry a tune.”

Springer said: “I’m 65. I’m not going to be a 25-year-old greatly physically fit dancer...

“I’m a liberal – my feet go where they want. Hopefully they’ll go in the right direction.”

But he said he was going to take the role seriously, and continued: “I know I joke about most of the things I do. But this role deserves respect...

“I’m going to try to respect the traditions of the theatre and of the show...

“I’m going to work hard at it, I’m going to really rehearse and give it my best.”

Born in Highgate Tube Station in London during the Blitz, Springer is known for 'The Jerry Springer Show', which features wacky real-life stories and is recorded in the city of Chicago.

He has hosted two seasons of 'America’s Got Talent' and showed off his ballroom dancing in 'Dancing with Stars'.

The award-winning musical 'Jerry Springer: The Opera' – based on Springer and his television shows - played at the Cambridge Theatre just prior to 'Chicago' opening there.

Springer said of that musical: “They did a great job”.

But he added: “I never thought it should have been on television. But that’s not my decision.

“I thought that was a little step over. But they certainly have been very successful.”

Asked if he had ambitions for Broadway, Springer said: “Well, who wouldn’t want to be on Broadway... let’s see how comfortable I am doing this.”

'Chicago' currently stars Aoife Mulholland as Roxie Hart, Tiffany Graves as Velma Kelly, Ian Kelsey as Billy Flynn, Victor McGuire as Amos Hart and Brenda Edwards as Mama Morton.

The show celebrated its 11th birthday at the end of 2008 and is the longest running Broadway musical in the West End ever.

For more information go to the website on www.chicagothemusical.co.uk.