Musicals: Saviour of the West End? Moyles hits Theatreland

Chris Moyles as Herod during a dress rehearsal for the new production of 'Jesus Christ Superstar' (PA)

Having hung up his headphones as host of Radio 1's breakfast show, Chris Moyles' new career begins this Friday when he stars as King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar in an arena tour.

Let's hope he fares better than previous Radio 1 DJs who have attempted a similar crossover. Kenny Everett appeared in 1991's The Hunting of the Snark, a lavish adaptation of Lewis Carroll's nonsense poem. Despite reportedly costing £2.1m, it only managed a seven-week run. Mike Read was forced to scrap his musical account of Oscar Wilde's life after press night.

Others have had better success. Phillip Schofield took on the title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat to great acclaim. And Jerry Springer's performance as Billy Flynn in Chicago was described as "an absolute hoot".

But perhaps the strangest is yet to come. Last week Mike Tyson announced: "I want to dance and sing." Hopefully Wicked is hiring.