Miami Vice star Don Johnson is to play gambler Nathan Detroit in the hit West End show Guys And Dolls.

Johnson, 57, best known for the Eighties TV police show, will take over the role from Patrick Swayze in January.

Guys And Dolls, playing at the Piccadilly Theatre, will mark Johnson's West End debut.

Johnson began his career on stage and has also recorded two albums. His performance in Guys and Dolls will be eagerly awaited.

He once said: "I'm better than De Niro, I'm better than Pacino. I've got the talent, they got the material."

Swayze will perform his last show on 2 December and former EastEnders star Alex Ferns will play the role in the interim.

Swayze told the Standard: "I've had a great time playing Nathan Detroit but I'm going back to my ranch (in California). I've missed being a cowboy." He added he would like to return to London to star in the show in the future.

Samantha Janus, Amy Nuttall and Norman Bowman will continue their roles in the production directed by Donmar Warehouse supremo Michael Grandage.

Others who have starred in Guys And Dolls during its 18-month-run include Ewan McGregor and Neil Morrissey. This year Sarah Lancashire had to quit after a month after she contracted a chest infection.