AFTER months of rehearsals, a local actress made her stage debut in the West End this week as one of the lead roles in Viva Forever! which features the music of the Spice Girls.

Lucy Phelps, aged 25, of Callow End, near Worcester, stars as Diamond, one main character Viva’s best friends.

Written by comedienne Jennifer Saunders, Viva Forever! tells the story of Viva and her three best friends, Luce, Diamond and Holly, who audition for a TV talent show.

The show opened at the Piccadilly Theatre on Tuesday night in front of an audience including the Spice Girls.

At the end of the show, the Spice Girls led the audience in a standing ovation before joining the cast on stage.