Pop Idol winner Will Young has landed another acting role - treading the boards in a Noel Coward play.

The singer, 26, made his screen debut in last year's British film Mrs Henderson Presents, starring Dame Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins.

Now he has signed up to play Nicky Lancaster, the lead role, in a new stage production of The Vortex.

The star said: "I'm really excited to be involved in this project.

"I'm sure it will be a fairly daunting experience initially, but I want to be able to grow and learn more in this field so I'll continue to enjoy what I do and also offer something new to my fans."

The Vortex opens at Manchester's Royal Exchange in January for a seven-and-a-half-week run.

Following his movie debut, former politics student Young was snapped up by the talent agency Tavistock Wood.