Brooke Shields will star in the musical for nine weeks

She will play Roxie Hart - the sassy femme fatale who kills her lover and ends up on death row - in the hit show, which is now in its eighth year.

Shields, who has starred in a number of Broadway shows, will follow Denise Van Outen, Jill Halfpenny and Jennifer Ellison who have all played the role.

Her nine-week run at London's Adelphi Theatre will open on 26 April.

'Star quality'

Shield's previous stage appearances include the New York productions of Cabaret, Exonerated and Grease.

However, she is best known for her roles in 80s films Blue Lagoon and Endless Love, and, more recently, the US TV series Suddenly Susan.

Last year, the 39-year-old actress starred in the Broadway musical Wonderful Town.

A spokesman for Chicago said: "She's going to bring some great pizzazz, sex appeal and excitement to the part of Roxie.

"Brooke has an amazing star quality - and she looks absolutely fantastic."