Winner of ITV’s Starstruck leads new theatre extravaganza The Shoop Shoop Show
ITV’s Starstruck talent show winner Rachael Hawnt as Cher in The Shoop Shoop Show(Image: supplied image)
ITV’s Starstruck talent show winner Rachael Hawnt is leading a brand-new theatre show celebrating the incredible music of Cher. The international extravaganza, The Shoop Shoop Show, is coming to Hull City Hall on Saturday, March 21 and will showcase every decade of Cher’s remarkable career.
Fans will experience everything from disco to pop-rock in this musical celebration. Rachael is a powerhouse vocalist who has been performing as a Cher tribute act internationally since winning the hit show in 2022.
Her spot-on impersonation and dynamic stage presence promise a show-stopping experience. Previously, critics have raved about her talent, with Simon Cowell describing her as “world class”; Adam Lambert noting the likeness as “uncanny” and Sheridan Smith saying she is “more Cher than Cher”.
Aimed at fans of all ages, the show guarantees an evening of fun, glamour, and pure pop magic – complete with incredible custom-made costumes, jaw-dropping production, a world-class live band and high-energy choreography, not to mention audience participation and plenty of fun and humour. The Shoop Shoop Show delivers Cher’s biggest hits alongside songs from her popular Dancing Queen album, performing unforgettable renditions of ABBA’s greatest songs.
The timing could not be more apt as 2026 marks Cher’s 80th birthday, making this new tour a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of one of the world’s most enduring music icons. Audiences are invited to sing, dance, and revel in a night of unforgettable music and dazzling performance.
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Performing professionally from her mid-teens, Rachael says she had a real interest in music from being four-years-old. “I was always singing right from the word go,” she said.
“Funnily enough the first audition I did for a nightclub gig was Cher’s hit ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’. And I’ve carried on singing and performing ever since.”
Having previously worked with bands and doing session vocals for people like Tony Hadley and Paul Young, Rachael has also written and produced music which has been used in advertising, on film trailers and in major video games worldwide. Performing as Cher on Starstruck was a real “sliding doors moment” for the singer.
She said: “I am so grateful that it came along. It has changed my life in so many fun ways and has enabled me to follow my dream of having my own theatre show.
“It is really liberating being Cher, she exuberates total body and feminine confidence. The songs are so epic. They are such great, well written songs and so uplifting.
“When you translate that into a show and you see what happens to the audience as you perform, you really see positive energy. Everyone just has fun with Cher, and her music brings so much joy to people.”
Tickets to the show are available by visiting theshoopshoopshow.com or hulltheatres.co.uk