Bradley Cooper as John Merrick in the Broadway hit The Elephant Man. Photo: Joan Marcus/The Corner Shop/PA WireBradley Cooper as John Merrick in the Broadway hit The Elephant Man. Photo: Joan Marcus/The Corner Shop/PA Wire

Oscar-nominated Hollywood star Bradley Cooper is to appear in London’s West End with a transfer of his Broadway hit The Elephant Man.

The US heartthrob, 40, will tread the boards in Britain from May in the production about the life of Joseph Merrick who lived with profound deformities. Merrick was famously portrayed on-screen by Sir John Hurt.

Cooper has drawn acclaim for the role in New York and the cast – which also includes Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola – will head to London’s Haymarket Theatre.

The star was last week announced as a best actor nominee at next month’s Oscars ceremony.

Cooper said. “Never did we think we would have the privilege to perform this show on Broadway, let alone in London. I’m honoured that Alessandro, Patricia, the entire company and I have the opportunity to continue to tell his story.”

Cooper, famed for his roles in The Hangover trilogy of films, has had three Oscar acting nominations over the years – for Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle and his latest is for American Sniper.

He is no stranger to the UK, having filmed the forth­coming movie Adam Jones in and around London last year and is dating British model Suki Waterhouse.

Tickets for the show have now gone on sale.

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