Ariana plays Penny, the best friend of main character Tracy, and producer Neil Meron said: “I think one of the thrills is Ariana wanted to play the part as written. She loved the fact that she kind of held off those powerful pipes until the very end.”

Ariana added: “I don’t want to change anything about the role or how she develops. I just love Penny and it’s just such a great honour to play her. I don’t want any sort of special icing or parts. This is just really great and I’m so happy.

“I got to see the Original Broadway Cast [of ‘Hairspray’], I think I was 10 or 11, so yes, way too young. Penny’s been my favourite character from the start. My theater geek inside, which is what I am, I can’t take it! At heart, theatre is everything to me. Pop music is fun, but this is way much more fun.”