Omid Djalili to play Fagin in 'Oliver!'

Omid Djalili has been announced as the future replacement for Rowan Atkinson in the musical stage production of Oliver!

The comedian and Gladiator actor will take over the role of Fagin on July 20 and continue until December 12.

Producer Cameron Mackintosh said: "Oliver! has been a success beyond my wildest dreams and I’m thrilled that Rowan Atkinson has had such a tremendous triumph in a role I always thought he was born to play.

"The only way to follow such a unique performance is with a talent just as unique yet entirely different. No-one could fulfil this criteria better than Omid Djalili."

He added that Djalili will be the first Iranian to play Dickens's famous Jewish character.