Samantha Barks was given the surprise of her life at the curtain call of Oliver! at the Palace Theatre in Manchester when producer Cameron Mackintosh appeared on stage to announce she has been cast in the role of Eponine in the forthcoming screen adaptation of Les Miserables.

Samantha, who is winning rave reviews for her portrayal of Nancy in Oliver!, will star alongside Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway and Eddie Redmayne.

Reacting to the news she said: “I can’t believe I’m going to play Eponine, a role so close to my heart, a role I played in the West End. It’s the happiest moment of my life. The moment I found out I started to shake and then I started crying. I’m still shaking now.”