Meet Magic at the Musical's very own Ruthie Henshall ðŸŽ
You can tune in to Ruthie's show every weekend!
Magic at the Musicals is home to theatre legend Ruthie Henshall, who joined us as a presenter in April 2020. Ruthie has enjoyed an incredibly successful career in musical theatre for over 30 years, making her debut on Broadway in 1999, starring as Velma Kelly in Chicago.
But who is Ruthie Henshall? And just how vast is her musical theatre career? Read on for the lowdown on Magic's very own Ruthie Henshall...
Who is Ruthie Henshall?
If you're not familiar with Magic at the Musicals presenter Ruthie Henshall then where have you been? Ruthie is one of the biggest names in musical theatre, having dedicated over 30 years of her life to her incredible career.
Born in Bromley, Ruthie Henshall went on to train at the Laine Theatre Arts in Surrey and spent the late 80s and early 90s touring in the role of Maggie in A Chorus Line. An in-demand performer, Ruthie has toured across the UK, America and Australia.
As well as a long career in theatre, Ruthie has also appeared on television as a celebrity judge, wrote the book So You Want To Be In Musicals? and has released four successful solo albums to date.
When is Ruthie Henshall's radio show on Magic at the Musicals?
Every Sunday at 10am she presents Behind the Stage Door with Ruthie Henshall, taking fans behind the stage door with stories from her spectacular career on the stage.
Ruthie Henshall on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
Ruthie entered the I'm A Celeb! castle with Russell Watson. She took part in her first Bushtucker Trial as soon as she got there - showing absolutely no fear and getting totally stuck in.
Her second quest involved pranking her campmates to get their luxury items - and she smashed that, too! It was not an easy ride but Ruthie kept up morale and even brought a bit of Broadway glam to the castle, teaching the celebs some of her favourite moves from her time on stage!
She also spoke to us before she went on I'm A Celeb, revealing that her friend and former I'm A Celeb campmate John Barrowman had given her some brilliant advice!
Ruthie lasted an incredible two weeks in the I'm a Celeb! castle, before leaving the show on Sunday 29th November 2020, calling her experience a 'brutal joy!'.
Ruthie Henshall's daughters
The West End star has two daughters, Lily and Dolly. Their father is Timothy Howar, a musical theatre performer and co-lead-singer of Mike + The Mechanics. The two girls took to Instagram to share an emotional message of support for their mum while she was in the I'm A Celeb! castle.
Which musicals has Ruthie Henshall been in?
Ruthie Henshall has appeared in just about every musical going and to huge critical acclaim. Ruthie Henshall made her West End debut in Cats where she played the roles of Jemima, Demeter, Jellyorum, Griddlebone and Grizabella between 1987 and 1989.
Following on from Cats, Ruthie Henshall then went on to star in Miss Saigon, Children of Eden, Henry VIII, The Sisterhood, Valentine's Day and Follow The Star. Ruth's role as Fantine in Les Misérables followed then performances in everything from Crazy For You, Annie, Oliver and Chicago saw Ruthie become a household name.
In the early 2000s, Ruthie played Ellen in the Broadway production of Miss Saigon, Velma Kelly in Chicago and Liza Minelli in The Boy From Oz. Later, Ruthie starred as Adelaide in Guys and Dolls and Mrs Wilkinson in Billy Elliot.
Ruthie returned to Chicago in 2018 to play the role of Mama Morton making her the first British actress to have played all three leading female roles in the musical.
In May 2022, Ruthie played the role of Fosca in a revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Passion at the Hope Mill Theatre.
More recently Ruthie starred in 42nd Street at Saddlers Wells which then headed on tour.
WATCH: Ruthie Henshall - 'When You're Good to Mama' (Chicago, 2018 Cast)
Was Ruthie Henshall on Dancing On Ice?
Ruthie appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice from 2008 to 2009. Alongside Ruthie on the Dancing On Ice judging panel was Robin Cousins, Karen Barber, Nicky Slater and Jason Gardiner.
Has Ruthie Henshall won any awards?
Ruthie Henshall has been nominated for five Olivier Awards, winning once. In 1993, Ruthie was nominated for her role in Crazy For You, in 1995 she won Best Actress for She Loves Me and was nominated again in 1998 for her performance in Chicago. Two more Olivier Award nominations followed in 2002 and 2009 respectively.
WATCH: Get to know Ruthie Henshall with our Q&A
Check out the Magic at the Musicals schedule:
Alex Baker
Weekdays 9am - 1pm
Alex Baker brings you the best of musicals from Broadway to the West End to kick off your weekday with style, Monday to Friday.
Lucy Ford
Weekdays 2pm - 6pm
Lucy Ford sees you through the afternoon with the biggest and best musical tracks, Monday to Friday.
Lucie Jones
On Stage: Saturdays 11am - 1pm
Join West End star Lucie Jones as she shares some of her favourite songs from the world of musical theatre! you can also expect her to chat about her work in the world of musical theatre - include her current role as Elphaba in the West End production of Wicked - and sometimes some of her stagey friends may stop by!
Ruthie Henshall
In the Spotlight: Sundays 10am - 12pm
Join Ruthie Henshall as she shines a spotlight on some of her favourite musicals and musical stars.
Dan Morrissey
The Saturday Matinee: Saturdays 1pm - 3pm
Lie in: Sundays 8am - 10am
Join Dan Morrissey, as he takes you through what's opening in the wonderful world of theatre.
Hannah Cox: Weekends 5pm - 7pm
Musicals Afternoons: Weekends 3pm - 5pm
It's the weekend, and Hannah Cox is here with some classic musical songs from Broadway to The West End to see you through your afternoon.
Jim Davis: Weekends 12pm - 3pm
Magic at the Musicals Anthems: Saturdays 5pm - 7pm
Musicals Afternoons: Sundays 12pm - 3pm
Jim Davis brings you the biggest and best musical tracks for your weekend.
Artist in Residence
Saturdays 7pm - 8pm
In this show we hand over the mic to stars of the West End as they play some of their favourite songs, and tell us stories from their careers.
Previous artists in residence include Carrie Hope Fletcher, Ore Oduba and Gabrielle Brooks.
Read more:
Ruthie Henshall leaves the I'm A Celeb! castle: 'It was a brutal joy!'
Ruthie Henshall brings Broadway glamour to the I'm A Celeb! castle