Marti Pellow to star in The Witches of Eastwick

May 16 2008 Beverley Lyons And Laura Sutherland

MARTI Pellow is stepping into the shoes of one of the biggest names in showbiz, but he seems quite at ease.

The Wet Wet Wet frontman has taken on the role of Daryl Van Horne in a stage production of The Witches of Eastwick, at the Edinburgh Playhouse, a role immortalised by Jack Nicholson.

So is Marti worried about following in his footsteps?

"It's a challenge but it's important to make every role your own," the singer told the Razz.

"But I'm not afraid of hard graft. I've been gifted by being given a voice and I work very hard at it."

The 43-year-old formed Wet Wet Wet 26 years ago, with school mates Tommy Cunningham, Graeme Clark and Neil Mitchell.

The band released their eighth studio album Weightless in 2007 after splitting in the late Nineties.

Marti also released a solo project, Sentimental Me, a collection of jazz tracks, earlier this year.

And while he admits his bandmates think his move to the stage makes him a bit of a luvvie, he said: "They are very supportive. It is very important that you have your friends and your family who come along and embrace what you do."

Marti also revealed that he waited five years since his starring role in Chicago until the right role came along.

He said: "Cameron Mackintosh has wanted to work with me for many years but the projects he brought weren't for me.

"But this time the role suits me and Cameron has even reworked it with new songs."

The Edinburgh Playhouse will play host to The Witches Of Eastwick from December 10 until January 3.