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McGregor previously sang and danced alongside Nicole Kidman in his starring role in the film Moulin Rouge, but a West End run requires more training and prolonged stamina.

He has been taking singing lessons ahead of his role as gambler Sky Masterson in the revival of Frank Loesser's 1950s musical.

stage return

On the singing, he said: "A lot of people were worrying me saying: 'How's your voice?'.

"I could sense there was this kind of panic around me but I worried a lot less once we started. Your voice gets stronger and stronger."

Actress Jenna Russell will also star alongside McGregor

McGregor returns to the stage after a five-year break. He last trod the boards in the West End production of Little Malcolm and His Struggle Against The Eunuchs.

He said he would not be comparing his performance in Guys and Dolls to that of Marlon Brando, who starred in the big-screen version of the musical.

"I can assure you that I don't start thinking: 'That's a bit like Brando, I mustn't do that.' You just try to find the character and see how it fits in your shoes."

Also starring in the show - which opens at London's Piccadilly Theatre on 1 June - are Jenna Russell, Douglas Hodge and Ally McBeal actress Jane Krakowski.