'Oaks star for 'Flashdance - The Musical'?

Hollyoaks star Gerard McCarthy is rumoured to be teaming up with close friend Arlene Phillips for the West End run of Flashdance - The Musical.

The 28-year-old - who has played bisexual cross-dresser Kris Fisher in the Channel 4 soap since 2006 - will allegedly leave Hollyoaks and make his move south later this year in time to start rehearsing for Flashdance's September opening.

Apparently confirming the casting, McCarthy tweeted earlier today: "Can't wait until @Flashdancelive ! Can we have matching legwarmers @ArlenePhillips ??"

Phillips replied: "Oh yes matching legwarmers!" adding: "We can have everything matching if you like!"

Choreographed by former Strictly Come Dancing judge and television personality Phillips, Flashdance - The Musical tells the story of 18-year-old welder and flashdancer Alex Owens who hopes to pursue his dancing dream at the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy.

In March last year, McCarthy said: "Before I joined the cast of Hollyoaks, I was in the West End production of Saturday Night Fever directed and choreographed by Arlene Phillips. I'd love to work with Arlene again because she really is at the top of her game."

He joked: "If she asked me to be in a disco-dancing version of the nativity in her garden shed - I'd do it!"

McCarthy's previous stage experience has included West End productions Mamma Mia! and Saturday Night Fever, also choreographed by Phillips.

A Hollyoaks spokesperson declined to comment.