Pampered pooches and clever canines showed off their talents in a bid to become the next four-legged stage star at the Wycombe Swan yesterday. 

The High Wycombe theatre played host to an afternoon of auditions in the hope of finding a talented pet to play a part in the new Legally Blonde musical that comes to the town on September 29. 

The successful family pet will take to the stage alongside EastEnders actress Rita Simons, Eurovision performer Lucie Jones and Bill Ward, who is well-known for his roles in Coronation Street and Emmerdale in the all-singing, all-dancing romantic comedy. 

Yesterday saw a huge turnout for the auditions, with the theatre filled with all breeds of dog from Bulldogs to Border Collies. 

The successful pooch will play the role of Rufus alongsider the Chihuahua Bruiser, who has already been cast.