IN TUNE - ‘WE'RE QUITE BLUNT WITH EACH OTHER!'

CO-STARS KIMBERLEY WALSH AND JAY MCGUINESS TALK TO OK!’S KIRSTY HATCHER ABOUT TELLING IT LIKE IT IS

They’ve only known each other for just over a year, but as we listen to Kimberley Walsh and Jay McGuiness chat away, they sound like old friends.

It’s no wonder the two have formed such a firm friendship as their lives have crossed many of the same paths, from being part of a five-piece pop group to competing on Strictly Come Dancing. And that’s without mentioning their mutual love of live musicals.

After first starring opposite each other in last year’s Big The Musical, the pair are back together again for Sleepless: A Musical Romance. It’s based on the 1993 classic film Sleepless In Seattle, and former Girls Aloud singer Kimberley stars as Meg Ryan’s character Annie, while former The Wanted star Jay takes on Tom Hanks’ Sam.

If all goes to plan, the show will open on 25 August at the Troubador Wembley Park Theatre in London with social distancing guidelines. So with their fingers crossed, Jay, 29, and Kimberley, 38 – who is mum to Bobby, five, and Cole, three, with her husband Justin Scott – tell OK! why the show must go on…

Have either of you learnt anything about yourselves in lockdown?

Kimberley: At the start, I panicked because I like to be busy, but I’ve realised I’m good at doing nothing. I’ve just redecorated my dining room and it’s looking good. If there are no jobs after this show, I’ll go into decorating!