Rowan Atkinson to play Fagin

The legendary Rowan Atkinson is set to play the part of Fagin in Cameron Mackintosh's 2008 revival of Oliver! The show, which will launch in London's West End in December this year, will also champion the winners of the BBC's latest reality TV show, I'd Do Anything

Atkinson, 53, who is perhaps most famous for his parts in Black Adder and Mr Bean, is delighted to be taking part, saying the role is actually a long-held ambition: "I had been thinking for some time about returning to the stage and the idea of the role of Fagin, which has long intrigued me."

Atkinson is no stranger to the story of Oliver, as he played the part in a school production in his youth. The opportunity to play the villain "seemed like too good an opportunity to miss."

The star has been in talks with the show's producer, Cameron Mackintosh "on and off for several years," with the producer saying "To me the idea has always promised the perfect marriage of a brilliant mercurial role with a brilliant mercurial comic actor."

The show looks set to be a box office smash, when Oliver last appeared in London, it took more than £40million in its three year run. Keep an eye on Show and Stay for all the latest news on Oliver as it happens. For more information on the show, go to our I'd Do Anything page and read more about the history of the show and the quest for Nancy and Oliver.

Published By: Jon Lane