Hits Radio's Fleur East to star as Tina Turner in West End production
Fleur will perform in the musical from 24th June
Last updated 25th Apr 2025
Our very own Fleur East has been announced to star as the music icon Tina Turner, in the West End production of the musical Tina - The Tina Turner Musical.
Fleur, who presents on Hits Radio, will share the role of Tina along with current star Karis Anderson, and will be performing in the musical from Tuesday 24th June until Saturday 13th September 2025.
Fleur is not only a talented radio presenter, here at Hits Radio, she's also a brilliant singer, having released hits such as 'Sax' and 'Favourite Thing', she is also a great dancer, which was confirmed when she won the famous Glitterball trophy with Vita Coppola, on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2022. However, this will be Fleur's first time in the West End! 👏
The musical features a soundtrack of Tina's greatest hits including 'The Best', 'What's Love Got To Do With It?', 'Private Dancer', and 'River Deep, Mountain High', telling the inspiring true story Tina Turner, and we can not wait to see Fleur perform!
Tina was the singer who dared to dream big, break down barriers, and defied expectations based on age, gender, and race to achieve global superstardom.
Tina - The Tina Turner Musical has been running at Aldwych Theatre in the West End for more than seven years, making it the longest running show ever to play at the theatre.
Speaking about the new role, Fleur told Hits Radio: "I am so excited and honoured to be playing Tina Turner in the musical on the west end this summer. It's my first musical theatre role and one that I really connect to as a performer. Tina Turner was such a dynamic performer and a woman I have admired throughout my career, so I cannot wait to take on this challenge."
Speaking about the announcement, the show's producer Tali Pelman said: "I am a huge admirer of Fleur, who has always struck me as an extraordinary woman; an exceptional talent who, like Tina Turner, will not allow herself to be defined by others.
"Fleur’s generosity, optimism, kindness and determination are all qualities that are truly Tina. She is a natural, and we are thrilled she has decided to make her stage debut in our musical. I am tremendously excited that our journey together has begun!"
The full cast for the 2025/26 season has yet to be announced.
Take a look through Fleur East's career highlights:
The X Factor (2005)
Fleur East was a contestant on The X Factor back in 2005 as part of Addictiv Ladies. The group consisted of Fleur with her childhood friends, Nicola Owusu-Akontoh, Stephanie Yamson and Vivienne Umeh. They were mentored by Simon Cowell, but were eliminated in week one.
The band went their separate ways after taking part in The X Factor.
Tour with DJ Fresh (2012)
Fleur sang on DJ Fresh's song 'Turn It Up' and toured with the DJ throughout 2012. Speaking about her performance at V Festival with the 'Hot Right Now' DJ, Fleur said: "We got the chance to perform on the 4 Music stage in place of Nicki Minaj (who couldn't make it) and it was an incredible experience! There were something like 60, 000 people in the audience and it was so surreal."
The X Factor (2014)
Fleur returned to The X Factor as a solo contestant in 2014, this time she had more success on the show, getting all the way through to the final. Fleur's first song on the show was John Legend's 'Ordinary People', which gave her three 'yes' votes.
'Uptown Funk' performance on The X Factor (2014)
In the semi-final of The X Factor, Fleur performed 'Uptown Funk' by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars. Although not released as an official single by Fleur, the song was so popular with the audience that it went to Number 1 on the iTunes chart. Fleur became the first X Factor contestant to reach Number 1 during the competition.
Debut single 'Sax' (2015)
'Sax' was Fleur East's debut single after The X Factor. The song was a massive hit in 2015. The song reached Number 3 in the UK and was certified Platinum. Speaking about her debut song, she said she wanted her music to be fun to listen to and that's what 'Sax' is for her.
Fleur released her debut album 'Love, Sax and Flashbacks' (2015)
In the same year that Fleur had huge success with 'Sax', she released her debut album, 'Love, Sax and Flashbacks'. The album reached Number 14 in the UK and featured 12 songs, including her hits 'Sax' and The X Factor song 'Uptown Funk'. Nine of the 12 songs on 'Love, Sax and Flashbacks' were co-written by Fleur. The album has been certified Silver in the UK.
Fleur East appeared on I'm a Celebrity (2018)
In 2018, Fleur was back in the public eye appearing on series 18 of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! The radio presenter was eliminated 8th, from the show that was eventually won by Harry Redknapp. Fleur later said that they were like family.
In the Jungle Arms, the campmates took part in a little karaoke, when Fleur's song 'Sax' came on and they all tried to learn her dance routine, but Harry wasn't convinced.
Fleur East joined Hits Radio (2019)
Fleur joined Hits Radio's breakfast show in July 2019. She was late on her very first day, but arrived in style. While Greg and James were at the Hits Radio studio bright and early to prepare for their first show, Fleur had to explain why she was "running a little bit late" and ended up speeding along Manchester's canals in a speedboat, finally arriving at Hits Radio.
Fleur surprises fans with a performance at Hits Live (2019)
Fleur took to the stage for a surprise performance at Hits Live Birmingham, performing 'Sax' and 'Size'. Armed with dancers, pyrotechnics and amazing vocals, Fleur looked phenomenal with her changed-up hairstyle.
'Size' was used in a TV advert (2019)
'Size' was the ever-catchy release from Fleur in the autumn of 2019. The song was also featured in the Debenhams Christmas advert.
Fleur released her second album 'Fearless' (2020)
After much teasing, Fleur East confirmed her second album 'Fearless' would be released in March 2020. Her album featured songs 'Easy To Love', 'Lucky' and 'Favourite Thing'.
Fleur released 'Not Alone' to raise money for the NHS (2020)
Fleur's song, 'Not Alone' was initially written for an exclusive performance on The One Show, encouraging viewers to stay at home amidst the Coronavirus crisis. However, after getting so much attention online, she's decided to write an extra verse and chorus so the song can be released to raise money for the NHS. 💙
Fleur East's Black Lives Matter Rap Roulette (2020)
During the national lockdown in 2020, Fleur continued with her weekly Rap Roulette. There was one in particular with incredibly powerful lyrics for Black Lives Matter. The lyrics included: 'People fear for their lives through the shade they were painted / Can you see the picture has been tainted?' Fleur's Rap Roulette was described as 'brilliant' and 'powerful' by Hits Radio listeners.
Fleur launched The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East (2020)
Fleur launched her own podcast in 2020 which was about The Reality of Reality TV. As someone who has been on a number of reality TV shows herself, she took us behind-the-scenes of the shows with her guests on her podcast.
Fleur is a contestant on Don't Rock The Boat (2020)
In November 2020 Fleur East took part in TV show Don't Rock The Boat. She was part of the winning red team along with Tom Watson, Jodie Kidd, Craig Charles, Victoria Pendleton CBE and Adam Thomas.
Fleur hosted The Void alongside Ashley Banjo (2021)
Fleur East launched her show The Void alongside Ashley Banjo. Those taking part faced mental and physical challenges whilst trying not to fall into The Void, a 520,000-litre water tank which stretched across the arena floor in the seven-part series.
Fleur East appeared on Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway (2021 and 2022)
Fleur East joined Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway for the 2021 series, giving away holidays to lucky viewers! She returned for the 2022 series to give away even more getaways.
Fleur East starred in musical film Tomorrow Morning (2022)
Fleur East starred in musical film Tomorrow Morning which was released on 6th September 2022 at selected cinemas. The film was about one couple seen in two separate timelines, a decade apart.
Fleur East joined Strictly Come Dancing (2022)
In August 2022, it was announced that Fleur East would join Strictly Come Dancing. Speaking about the announcement the Hits Radio presenter said: "I'm equally nervous and thrilled to be part of this year's Strictly line up. I'm excited to learn new skills and I want to soak up every moment of this magical experience. It's such an honour to be on the show after years of watching it with my Father who loved it so much."
During her time on the show, Fleur said: 'I'm dancing for a minimum of seven hours a day - it's hardcore! But the thing is you don't even realise you're dancing that long because you're enjoying it and you're focusing on getting the steps right and then before you know it it's over. I'm really enjoying Strictly but if I'm honest it's been a lot harder than I thought it would be - in terms of my fitness levels and what my body feels like.
"And learning the technique has been really, really difficult but above all of that I've just loved the experience, learning new dances, learning from Vito, building relationships with everyone I'm doing the show with. It's just so much fun'
In 2022, we brought the Hits Radio Breakfast show to you live from Blackpool ahead of Fleur taking to the Blackpool Tower Ballroom floor for Strictly Come Dancing. James and Producer Matt had a touching gesture in store as they arranged a flyover with a 'Vote Fleur' banner to surprise her with.
After 12 weeks of stunning dance routines, Fleur East and her dance partner Vito Coppola made it to the Strictly Come Dancing Final along with Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal, Helen Skelton and Gorka Márquez, as well as Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu.
Fleur released 'Count The Ways' single (2023)
In December 2022, Fleur announced she would be bringing out a new single called 'Count The Ways' which she released in January 2023!
On the Hits Radio Breakfast Show, she teased: "There's a lot more music coming from me! I've been really inspired this year and I've written some new songs and played them to Vito in rehearsals and got his approval. And I've booked him for my next music video so he's all ready for that!"
Fleur announced for Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour (2023)
In January and February 2023, Fleur danced her way across the UK as part of the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour. She performed with her partner Vito and the line-up also included Helen Skelton and Kai Widdrington, Will Mellor and Nancy Xu, Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu, Ellie Simmonds and Nikita Kuzmin, Tyler West and Dianne Buswell and Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal.
Looking ahead to the shows, Fleur said: "As a huge Strictly fan, being part of the TV competition has been an unbelievable experience and I'm absolutely over the moon to have the chance to get back into those fabulous sequinned outfits for the live tour next year!"
Fleur joined Strictly: It Takes Two
In 2023, Fleur joined Janette Manrara as a presenter on Strictly: It Takes Two. The Hits Radio host has continued to present the Strictly spin-off in 2024 and 2025.
Fleur East landed TV acting role in Phoenix Rise (2023)
Fleur East landed the role of a teacher called Miss Meesha in the BBC Three series Phoenix Rise. Her role appeared on screen in 2024!
Speaking about her role, Fleur said: "I'm thrilled to be a part of Phoenix Rise. There is so much raw talent and I've been soaking up the experience like a sponge! The cast and crew are amazing to work with and the scripts are real, gritty, funny and heart-warming. I can't wait for everyone to be introduced to my character Miss Meesha - she's a ball of energy!"
Fleur launched her haircare brand Kurl Kitchen (2024)
June 2024 saw Fleur launch her very own haircare brand, specifically designed for curly, coily, wavy, and tight-textured hair. Named Kurl Kitchen, the range offers shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner, curl cream and hair oil.
Speaking about the brand, which sees products made sustainably and organically, Fleur said: "How funny, when we released Kurl Kitchen in June (2024), after four years of working on it, we went to Ghana, we formulated the whole range there. We have added all the ingredients like wild yam, okra, black soap shampoo. We have really incorporated all the ingredients that we grew up eating.
"We launched it, then boom Beyoncé released Sacred, and then Rihanna did hers. This is brilliant, we are at an age where people are recognising this is a huge market, and it's needed."
Fleur East performed at VE Day celebrations (2025)
In May 2025, Fleur East performed at the special programme, VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember. The performance took place on Horse Guards Parade. In a social post about the event, Fleur wrote: 'What an honour it was to perform at the VE DAY 80 celebrations last night. A night to remember and celebrate victory in Europe 80 years on.
'The glam team did such an amazing job! Make up by my sis @keshiaeast_ , hair by @jhair_stylist and outfit created by @vickygilldesign ❤️
'I had so much fun on stage with all of the dancers, including my strictly fam! What an amazing night. If you missed it, you can catch it on @bbciplayer.'
Fleur played Tina Turner in West End production (2025)
In April 2025, it was announced that Fleur had landed the role of music icon Tina Turner in the West End production of the musical Tina - The Tina Turner Musical. Fleur shared the role of Tina along with current star Karis Anderson, and performed in the musical from Tuesday 24th June until Saturday 13th September 2025.
Fleur hosted Hits Radio Live 2025
Fleur hosted Hits Radio Live 2025 in both Birmingham and Manchester, along with her Hits Radio Breakfast co-hosts James Barr and Will Best. The trio took to the stage to welcome artists such as Calvin Harris, Olly Murs, JADE, Ella Henderson and the Sugababes.
Now read:
Everything you need to know about Fleur East 🙌
Fleur East's career highlights from Hits Radio Breakfast presenter to Strictly Come Dancing star
Get to know Fleur East: The Hits Radio presenter answers our Q&A