Sam Womack: 'Musical role not like Ronnie'

Samantha Womack has said that she is relishing the opportunity to play a hugely different character in her upcoming musical appearance.

The EastEnders actress is taking an indefinite break from the Walford-based soap and will portray lead South Pacific character Nellie Forbush in a touring version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein-penned production.

Speaking at the show's photocall, Womack said that it will be refreshing to portray a "bubbly, positive" character.

"Nellie's such a complete opposite to Ronnie. The two characters are so fundamentally different, it's just wonderful," she explained.

Commenting on the play, Womack said: "There's all this beautiful music but Bartlett Sher, the director, wanted to take it back to the nitty-gritty and the uncomfortable feeling of racial tension, which is such an interesting thing to do."

The 38-year-old recently said that she does not want to be made a fuss of when she bows out of the London soap.