Our own Colm Wilkinson, who created the role of Jean Valjean in the original RSC production of Les Misérables,has been invited to take a role in Tom Hooper's upcoming film of the smash musical. Wilkinson will play the Bishop from whom the hero fatefully steals a pair of candlesticks. Frances Rufelle, who originally played Eponine, will also play a small role.

Hooper's follow-up to The King's Speechalready boasts an impressive cast list. Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Sacha Baron Cohen and Amanda Seyfried will all be warbling their way through the year of revolution.