Former Great British Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc will be treading the boards in a contemporary adaptation of a Shakespeare play.

The comedian and presenter, 49, will star in Much Ado About Nothing at the Rose Theatre Kingston next year.

Director Simon Dormandy said Giedroyc was an “outstandingly subtle, powerful actor, as well as a very funny one” and would be an “unforgettable Beatrice” when the production opens in April at the London theatre next year.

Giedroyc’s theatre credits include Luce at the Southwark Playhouse, The Rocky Horror Show at the Playhouse Theatre and New Boy at Trafalgar Studios.

Her casting was announced as Mary Berry, Giedroyc and Sue Perkins reunite for a BBC1 Christmas show.

Mary, Mel and Sue’s Surprise Party will see the former Bake Off trio, who all stayed with the BBC when the show moved to Channel 4, bring festive cheer to a community centre in South Wales.