Katherine Ryan Fired From West End Musical Weeks Before Debut

Comedian Katherine Ryan has shared that she was dismissed from a West End musical production just weeks before its scheduled opening in May. Ryan, 43, described the role as a "dream" and that she had been cast in a "small part" requiring eight performances weekly, despite having recently welcomed her daughter, Holland, in October.

While Ryan did not disclose the name of the musical, she indicated to The Sun that it was a show currently running in the West End that premiered in May. The publication suggested that Beetlejuice at the Prince Edward Theatre fits this description. Ryan had reportedly expressed excitement for the theatre opportunity but acknowledged she should not have accepted given the demands of performing eight shows a week with a newborn.

"Luckily, someone in America did hear my voice and they said no, and I got fired before it began," Ryan explained.

This experience marks Ryan's first encounter with theatre performance, as her career has primarily focused on stand-up comedy tours. She is scheduled to perform a book tour for her work Firstborn Daughter: Having It All and Doing It Anyway in October at the Garrick Theatre and Brighton Dome.

Separately, Ryan recently attracted public attention for admitting she has a favorite child among her four children. She stated that her eldest daughter, Violet, 17, from a previous relationship, is her favorite. Ryan has three younger children with her husband Bobby Koostra: Fred, three; Fenna, two; and Holland, who was born in October. She explained that Violet is her favorite because she did not benefit from the same privileges as her younger siblings, whom Ryan referred to as "nepobabies." These privileges include private education and growing up with a father present, circumstances Violet did not experience.

Ryan's comments about having a favorite child, made on the podcast Begin Again with Davina McCall, reportedly led to backlash on social media platforms. Some listeners expressed concern that such declarations could negatively impact the children's self-esteem and relationships.