Streep snapped up 'Mamma Mia!' offer

Meryl Streep jumped at the chance to star in the film adaptation of hit West End musical Mamma Mia!.

The actress became a huge fan of the stage production when she first attended a showing in 2001 - even writing a fan letter to the show's cast to voice her approval.

Speaking about being approached for the movie version last year, Streep explained: "They called and said, 'You probably won't be interested but we'd love you to do this.' I said, 'Are you crazy? I would love to do this.' It was a done deal."

Meryl added that she relished the opportunity to belt out some of Abba's greatest hits - because she is banned from singing at home.

"I like to sing but when you have children they don't let you," she said. "I don't know if Placido Domingo has this problem, but my kids put their hands over their ears and yell, 'Mum, Shut up! My friends will hear you.' The dancing will mortify them, too - they'll have to move to Alaska."

Mamma Mia! is released on July 10.