Jill Halfpenny has won an Olivier Award for her performance as beautician Paulette in Legally Blonde The Musical.
The actress fought off strong competition from Josefina Gabrielle (Sweet Charity), Summer Strallen (Love Never Dies) and Michael Xavier (Into The Woods) to take the Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical prize.
Halfpenny stole scenes in Legally Blonde The Musical as Paulette, friend and confidante to the show’s heroine Elle Woods, who has a penchant for Irish men.
This is the first Olivier Award for Halfpenny, whose previous West End stage credits include Chicago and Calendar Girls. Also well known for her television work including Byker Grove and EastEnders, Halfpenny won the second series of reality dance show Strictly Come Dancing.
Halfpenny told the audience: “It’s such a privilege to do this job; I’m so excited to be in this industry.”
