Rufus Hound joins One Man, Two Guvnors UK tour

Comedian Rufus Hound will lead the cast of hit comedy One Man, Two Guvnors when it tours the UK later this year.

The Celebrity Juice star will take on the role of Francis Henshall, played at the National Theatre and subsequently on Broadway by James Corden.

Owain Arthur, currently in the show's West End production, will join the touring version for dates in Wales.

The UK tour kicks off in Leicester on 25 October and will end in Nottingham in February 2013.

Hound is best known for his appearances on ITV2's Celebrity Juice and Channel 4 quiz show 8 out of 10 Cats.

He recently announced plans to focus on acting and is currently making his professional stage debut in Utopia at London's Soho Theatre.

One Man, Two Guvnors has enjoyed huge success since opening at the National in May 2011, under the direction of Sir Nicholas Hytner.

Written by Richard Bean, the play is an adaptation of Carlo Goldoni's 1746 comedy The Servant of Two Masters and has already toured the UK with Corden in the lead.

Earlier this month Corden won a Tony Award for his performance in the New York production.

The full touring cast is yet to be announced, although the National has confirmed Jodie Prenger will join Hound for shows at The Lowry in Salford and her home town of Blackpool.

Prenger, who is currently starring as Dolly in the London production, has been working in the West End since winning the role of Nancy in Oliver! on BBC One's I'd Do Anything.

The tour also takes in venues in Newcastle, Glasgow, Belfast, Norwich and Leeds.