X Factor musical previews postponed

Previews of the spoof X Factor musical I Can't Sing! have been postponed for the second time in a week.

Producers blamed a technical problem with one of the show's set pieces for cancelling tonight's planned performance at the London Palladium.

This show, written by comic Harry Hill, had already originally been scheduled for Thursday and yesterday but was put back by 48 hours with the producers saying they were giving themselves more time to set up the "hugely ambitious" production.

The first preview is now due to take place next week.

Rebecca Quigley, producer for Stage Entertainment, said: "Our teams have been working extremely hard to correct a problem which has developed this week with a particularly intricate piece of technical equipment.

"Our show features a hugely ambitious set, including a multi-truck system on track embedded in the stage, to allow pieces to move constantly during the performance. This tracking system is not operating correctly and it's imperative, for the safety of our actors and the quality of the production that we're committed to delivering, that we take the time needed to resolve this issue.

"I'd like to offer our sincere apologies to everyone who has bought a ticket for this week's preview performances and can assure you that everyone at the Palladium is working night and day to guarantee that I Can't Sing!, in all its hilarious, all-singing, all-dancing glory, will begin previews next week as scheduled."

The show tells the story of a young woman who lives in a caravan with a talking dog and finds fame on the talent show.

Former EastEnders actor Nigel Harman leads the cast which includes characters based on show regulars Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh.