She shot to fame playing the role of Dr Clodagh Delaney on RTE'S hit medical drama, The Clinic, but soon Leigh Arnold will be donning her hair extensions to become Ireland's very own, Cheryl Cole.

The Herald can reveal the Foxrock beauty has just landed a gig to play judge Mia Cole in a new stage production called The Wow Factor.

Leigh (30) will undergo a remarkable image overhaul to transform her into the petite Girls Aloud beauty in the new year, when she takes to the stage as Cheryl's alter ego, Mia.

However, stylists on the production are confident they won't have to do too much work, given that Leigh already shares many of Cheryl's characteristics.

The news comes as a further boost Dublin star, Leigh, who was left devastated earlier this year when she split up with her long-term love, Marcus Sweeney.

Things are truly on the up for the brunette beauty these days, given that she was also recently spotted enjoying a romantic night out with fellow actor, Emmet Scanlan (30).

Leigh's new play, which is being produced and directed by playwright David Gilna, falls into the same category as Risteard Cooper's Apres Match and is expected to go down a storm with fans of the hit ITV show.

Character

Leigh will be joined on the stage by infamous panto star Joe Conlon, who is set to play the character of Jenny the Jaguar, the owner of the theatre where the Wow Factor is shot.

Singer and television presenter, Kellie Blaise will also take a break from her blossoming career in LA to star in the production.

The Dublin star is well known in showbiz circles and has befriended a host of Hollywood greats, including Kelly Osbourne during her time in the States.

Producer and director Gilna said: "I'm very excited about the actors cast so far, I think we've got a great line-up.

"We're still looking for a Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Danni Minogue at the moment and hope to have them cast in the coming weeks.

"After the success of Jedward I'm starting to think we'll have to write a part in for them as well. It would be great if the guys themselves were willing to do it," he added.

Gilna is also the brains behind new chat-show Friday Night Lock In, a contender for the new Saturday slot on RTE, following Ryan Tubridy's move to the Late Late.

The young talent will take a break from his writing career for the coming weeks as he appears in new Christmas panto, Fluffy's Xmas Factor.

The panto will run from December 4 until January at the Mill Theatre in Dundrum, and is being produced by Lane Productions, the company behind I Keano, Stones in His Pockets and The Shawshank Redemption.

lnolan@herald.ie

- Lorna Nolan