Comic stars in festive play... not nativity movie

Catherine Tate has dropped out of a quirky film version of the Nativity story because of a diary clash.

Producers had listed her in the cast of Sweet Baby Jesus alongside Sharon Stone, Bette Midler and Pixie Lott.

However, the deal had never been signed as she was scheduled to star in Alan Ayckbourn’s comic play Seasons Greetings in London at the same time as the film’s shoot.

It has now been confirmed that she will not be in the movie. Instead, she will be appearing alongside the League of Gentlemen’s Mark Gatiss, The IT Crowd’s Katherine Parkinson and Shirley Ghostman creator Marc Wootton in the National Theatre production in December.

Sweet Baby Jesus sets the Biblical story in Seventies America, when pregnant hippy Mary – to be played by Lott – travels to her mother's house for Christmas in Bethlehem, Maryland.

Meanwhile, Simon Pegg has been confirmed for Mission: Impossible 4, reprising his role as lab geek Benji Dunn.

Published: 28 Sep 2010