Kimberley Walsh and Jay McGuiness reunite to promote West End musical and are tested for COVID-19

Kimberley Walsh and Jay McGuiness reunite to promote new socially distanced West End musical and are pictured being tested for COVID-19

  • On August 15th, English theatres were able to open for the first time since lockdown was imposed on March 23rd 
  • Government guidance for the performing arts set out measures to support the safe return of audiences, including strict social distancing rules

They previously starred alongside each other in West End show Big.

And, Kimberley Walsh, 38, and Jay McGuiness, 30, reunited in London on Friday, to promote their new socially distanced West End show Sleepless: A Musical Romance.

The Girls Aloud singer and The Wanted star were pictured being tested for COVID-19, ahead of previews for the new stage production, in which they play the lead roles.

Back together! Kimberley Walsh, 38, and Jay McGuiness, 30, reunited in London on Friday, to promote their new socially distanced West End show Sleepless: A Musical Romance

Kimberley, who plays the the role of Annie, looked elegant in a patterned blouse and sleek black trousers.

The mother-was-two was preened to perfection with her short blonde bob styled sleek and straight, while she glowed with the help of a bronzed make-up look.

Jay, who takes on the character of Sam in the musical, kept things casual in a yellow T-shirt and grey shorts.

The tattooed musician sported grown-out facial hair, and wore a camel coloured baseball cap backwards. 

Safety first: The Girls Aloud singer and The Wanted star were pictured being tested for COVID-19, ahead of previews for the new stage production, in which they play the lead roles

Safety first: The Girls Aloud singer and The Wanted star were pictured being tested for COVID-19, ahead of previews for the new stage production, in which they play the lead roles

Beauty: The mother-was-two was preened to perfection with her short blonde bob styled sleek and straight, while she glowed with the help of a bronzed make-up look

Beauty: The mother-was-two was preened to perfection with her short blonde bob styled sleek and straight, while she glowed with the help of a bronzed make-up look

The romantic comedy musical follows an architect who starts a new life in Washington city and meets and falls for an engaged newspaper reporter.

The stage production is based on the 1993 Nora Ephron film Sleepless in Seattle starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.

Set to open with social distancing at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London, the musical will premiere on Tuesday September 1, with previews from August 25. 

Kimberley is no stranger to the West End. Prior to appearing in Big, she starred in Shrek the Musical and Elf the Musical. 

Low-key: Jay, who takes on the character of Sam in the musical, kept things casual in a yellow T-shirt and grey shorts

Low-key: Jay, who takes on the character of Sam in the musical, kept things casual in a yellow T-shirt and grey shorts

Dutiful: Kimberley, who plays the the role of Annie, looked elegant in a patterned blouse and sleek black trousers as she had swabs taken for testing

Dutiful: Kimberley, who plays the the role of Annie, looked elegant in a patterned blouse and sleek black trousers as she had swabs taken for testing

The reunion comes after Kimberley admitted that Girls Aloud are ‘feeling outside pressure’ to reform for the band’s upcoming 20th anniversary.

Speaking on The One Show earlier this month, the singer explained: ‘It’s 20 years in 2022 so we’re feeling a bit of outside pressure now.

‘People keep asking if we’re making any plans and we actually haven’t made any yet, but we’re definitely feeling a bit of pressure from the outside so you never know.’    

Edgy: The tattooed musician sported grown-out facial hair, and wore a camel coloured baseball cap backwards

Edgy: The tattooed musician sported grown-out facial hair, and wore a camel coloured baseball cap backwards