Adam Woodyatt ‘tipped to star in 2:22’ after being backed by EastEnders co-star Jake Wood

Adam Woodyatt has reportedly been tipped to star in 2:22 A Ghost Story, after being backed by his former EastEnders co-star Jake Wood.

The actor, 54, who played Ian Beale from 1985 until 2021 in the BBC soap, is allegedly keen to bag a role in the West End play, which Cheryl is currently fronting.

Currently showing at The Lyric Theatre, Jake plays Ben in the supernatural show while Adam is wowing audiences in the My Fair Lady revival.

A source told The Mirror: ‘Adam really fancies another stage play.

‘He’s loved treading the boards with My Fair Lady, which ends in April, and 2:22 Ghost Story is a potential fit.’ 

Earlier this year, Jake backed Adam to appear in the show, revealing he would be ‘fabulous’ as a cast member.

According to The Sun, he said: ‘Ian would be fabulous in 2:22. He has said to me he’d love to do it and hopefully, he’ll get his turn.

‘It’s such a fun one to do. It’s quite a remarkable play – probably the best I’ve ever read or been in.

‘The fact they can reinvent it with new cast means people will come back again and again.’

MailOnline has contacted Adam’s representatives for comment. 

Earlier this week, Jake said Cheryl has been ‘fearless’ in her approach to her West End debut.

He reprised his role as Ben in the supernatural thriller after People Just Do Nothing’s Hugo Chegwin withdrew from the show due to illness during rehearsals.

Cheryl portrays Jenny in the play and Jake insists she has been ‘remarkable’ given that she has no previous acting experience.

Buddy: Earlier this year, Jake (pictured in 2021) backed Adam to appear in the show, revealing he would be ‘fabulous’ as a cast member

He told The Mirror: ‘I’m sure Cheryl felt the pressure but, after years in the industry, I think she’s pretty fearless.

‘It’s quite remarkable to see someone who has never acted before come on stage at the West End, she is in the spotlight, with all that pressure.

‘It’s quite amazing how resilient she is, really. And she is giving amazing performances, people are blown away by how good she is.’

Jake, who originally played Ben opposite pop star Lily Allen, 37, in 2021, discussed how some people were closed minded when it came to Cheryl appearing in the production.

He said ‘certain areas’ feel ‘some people should stay in their boxes’ but he thinks it’s a positive move for people to ‘branch out’.

The ex soap star recognised that performing in a theatre in front of a ‘few hundred’ people is like water off a duck’s back for pop stars who have played to arenas packed with thousands of fans.

Meanwhile, Jake said Cheryl caught the giggles while performing in 2:22 A Ghost Story, with the pair ‘getting in trouble for laughing quite regularly’.

Cheryl took over from television presenter Laura Whitmore when she joined the new cast for the show, which is running at the Lyric Theatre until April 23, featuring Horrible Histories actress Louise Ford as Lauren and theatre star Scott Karim as Sam.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain this week, Jake was probed over his ‘mischievous’ behaviour on stage recently, causing former Popstars: The Rivals contestant Cheryl to ‘corpse’ on-stage.

He said: ‘It’s all sort of new to Cheryl, she didn’t know what corpsing was – corpsing is when you laugh on stage.

‘We’re getting in trouble for laughing quite regularly.

‘It’s part of the show and the characters – although it’s very scary, there are very sort of funny moments, so it’s just trying to stay in the moment.

‘When the audience are enjoying it, it’s difficult to keep a straight face. You catch someone’s eye and you just know someone’s about to go.

‘You can’t look at them again for the next sort of five minutes.’

He said that Cheryl, who has been acting for a total of four weeks, has had ‘amazing reviews’ and is ‘incredible’.

Talented: Earlier this week, Jake said Cheryl (pictured in February 2023) has been ‘fearless’ in her approach to her West End debut