LACHEY GETS BEWITCHED FOR CHARMED ARC
2 JULY 2004

In his first major acting commitment, pop singer-turned-reality TV star Nick Lachey will join the cast of Charmed for six episodes next season.

Lachey will play a guy hired as a ghost writer for Phoebe's advice column when she goes on a sabbatical and ends up romantically involved with her.

The star of MTV's reality series Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica was the producers' first choice for the role.

"He's very attractive, he's got star power and, in looking at the tapes of the acting he's done, he's got a fresh take, a fresh look and a natural way about him that translates into his performances," executive producer/showrunner Brad Kern said. "I feel strongly that it's going to be a fun match with Alyssa Milano." This past development season, Lachey co-starred in the ABC comedy pilot Hot Mamma, which was not picked up as a series. He also headlined with wife Jessica Simpson the highly rated AB special The Nick & Jessica Variety Hour, leading to an order by the network for a Christmas special.

Lachey, who rose to fame as a singer with boyband 98 Degrees, previously did guest shots on NBC's American Dreams and ABC's I'm With Her.