Cheryl beams as she heads to 2:22 A Ghost Story afterparty

Cheryl couldn’t wipe the smile off her face as she officially made her West End debut for the press night of 2:22 A Ghost story on Wednesday. 

Having received a standing ovation for her portrayal of distressed mother Jenny, the singer beamed with joy as she headed out of the Adelphi Theatre to carry on the celebrations. 

Cheryl was accompanied by her Girls Aloud bandmates Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts who had turned out to support her.  

The songstress, 39, had changed out of her costume and into a stylish beige pleated dress for the show’s afterparty at Soho’s 100 Wardour Street.

The mother-of-one stopped to sign a flurry of autographs held out by excited fans before jumping into the back of a taxi with Kimberley, 41, and Nicola, 37. 

Nicola cut a glam figure in a sparkly black minidress while Kimberley opted for a Burberry trench coat and leopard print/ floral dress. 

The girls chatted away in the back of the taxi as they headed to the bash to continue their night with the rest of the cast. 

Cheryl, who has followed in the steps of Giovanni Fletcher, Laura Whitmore and Lily Allen in the role, has received glowing reviews for her first venture into the acting world. 

The Can’t Speak French hitmaker stars alongside EastEnders’ Jake Wood and Louise Ford in the spooky play, which follows Cheryl’s character waking up at 2:22am hearing a haunting sound of someone moving around the house. 

Of her portrayal on Wednesday night, a source in the audience told MailOnline: ‘Tears could be seen rolling down Cheryl’s cheeks during the curtain call, in which the cast received a standing ovation. 

They added: ‘Right at the front cheering her on were her Girls Aloud bandmates Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts, alongside Lauren Silverman. 

‘There wasn’t a single hiccup during the performance.

‘She’s certainly proven herself worthy of the role, after surprising fans with the unexpected career move,’ concluded the source.

Thrilled: Having received a standing ovation for her portrayal of distressed mother Jenny, the singer headed out of the Adelphi Theatre with Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts 

West End debut: The songstress, 39, had changed out of her costume and into a stylish beige pleated dress for the show’s afterparty at at Soho’s 100 Wardour Street

Fans: The mother-of-one stopped to sign a flurry of autographs held out by excited fans before jumping into the back of a taxi with Kimberley, 41, and Nicola, 37

Here come the girls: Nicola cut a glam figure in a sparkly black minidress while Kimberley opted for a Burberry trench coat and leopard print/ floral dress

Impressive: Cheryl, who has followed in the steps of Giovanni Fletcher, Laura Whitmore and Lily Allen in the role, has received glowing reviews for her first venture into the acting world

Taking her final bow, a slightly teary Cheryl flashed a huge smile at the audience while raising one arm into the air.

Clapping her fellow cast and crew, she was joined on stage by co-stars Scott Karim and Louise while taking their final bow. 

Sharing a clip to social media while they prepared for the show beforehand, Nicola penned to her 348K Instagram followers: ‘Ready for our girl’.

Hazard: As Kimberley left, the singer was frustrated by an electric bike which was blocking the pavement

Dressed up: The Girls Aloud star cut a stylish figure in poppy print dress and court shoes 

Irritating: Frustrated, Kimberley pointed at the bike which was blocking the path 

Heading home: She clambered into her taxi to head home after a fun night out 

Emotional: Cheryl shed a tear on Wednesday evening as she received a standing ovation following her West End debut in 2:22 A Ghost Story

Pals: In the front row to cheer her on were former bandmates Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh watch on from the audience

And despite it being her first West End show, Cheryl insisted that she wasn’t too nervous.

She told BBC London this week: ‘No, I mean, a healthy amount of nerves in the previews which I think is normal, I would be concerned for myself if I had none. But not excessively nervous, no.’ 

The hitmaker then added: ‘I mean, a healthy amount of nerves in the previews which I think is normal, I would be concerned for myself if I had none. But not excessively nervous, no.’

Keeping warm: Denise Van Outen bundled up in a fluffy white coat as she left the show 

Feeling cold: The actress looked a little on the chilly side as she departed the show 

What a reaction: Taking her final bow, a slightly tear Cheryl flashed a huge smile at the audience while raising one arm into the air

Character: In the production, Cheryl portrayed a woman named Jenny who becomes convinced her house is haunted by a supernatural spirit in the show

Costume: And for the role, she was dressed in a floral printed burgundy dress with a high-neck and long sleeved design, layering a khaki cardigan on top

Cheryl has been a regular on the stage for her two-decade long career as both a solo artist and a member of Girls Aloud.

The star said that after having been a singer for so long, it’s been nice to try out a different art form.

She added: ‘I’m used to a live audience but not in this capacity with the laughter and the different emotions this show inspires in an audience. I’ve loved it, honestly. 

 ‘It’s so nice after 20 years of doing the same sort of thing to have a different experience again. It’s been really fun.’

Crew: Clapping her fellow cast and crew, she was joined on stage by co-stars Scott Karim and Louise Ford while taking their final bow

That’s a wrap: Following a flawless performance, a source told MailOnline: ‘Tears could be seen rolling down Cheryl’s cheeks during the curtain call as the cast received a standing ovation’

Cast members: Scott Karim, Cheryl, Louise Ford and Jake Wood (L to R)

The source added: ‘Right at the front cheering her on were her Girls Aloud bandmates Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts, alongside Lauren Silverman’

Support: The lady of the hour stood in the centre of her longtime friends as they partied at Soho’s 100 Wardour Street

Popular: She was swarmed by fans following the performance

Helping hand: While the star was aided from her car by a security crew member

Autographs: Cheryl happily signed autographs for adoring fans outside of the theatre

Entertainment: A live band performed at the central London after party for the A-list guests

Switch up: Ready for the after party once the pressure was over, she swapped her costume for a beige maxi-dress with a high neck and ribbed design

Beauty: Her chestnut brown tresses were pulled away into a low ponytail, while Nicola looked stunning in a glimmering black mini dress

Smile: Cheryl ensured she grabbed plenty of snaps with her supporting pals outside of the venue

Cheryl, who began rehearsing for the production earlier this month, is reportedly hoping to ‘reinvent herself’ with a big stage role after a three-year hiatus from the spotlight.

A source told new! magazine: ‘Cheryl wants to reinvent herself in 2023. She was on TV all the time, she was the sweetheart of the nation. But she stepped back for a while to focus on being a mother.

‘She’s excited to be coming back. Some things haven’t worked out in the past that she’s tried, but this is a very exciting time for her.’ 

Cheryl is reportedly pocketing one of the biggest fees in West End history for her stint in the play, with sources claiming she’ll earn £750,000 for four months work.

Beaming: Kimberley stood to the other side in a black maxi dress with red and green floral detailing

In sync: Kimberley matched the look with a bright red lipstick and radiant palette of makeup