Abigail Breslin to star in Dirty Dancing remake

Little Miss Sunshine star Abigail Breslin is set to play the iconic role of Baby in a TV remake of classic 1980s movie Dirty Dancing.

ABC bosses have given the green light to a three-hour TV movie version of the movie, according to The Hollywood Reporter, and the former child star will lead the cast.

The 19-year-old actress, who is currently part of the ensemble cast of TV hit Scream Queens, will take on the character made famous by Jennifer Gray in the original 1987 film, while her leading man, portrayed by the late Patrick Swayze, is yet to be announced.

Emmy Award nominee Jessica Sharzer, who has worked on hit TV shows American Horror Story and The L Word, is penning the script, while Eleanor Bergstein, who wrote the screenplay for the original movie, will produce.

The original film's award-winning soundtrack is also getting a revamp with Grammy nominee Adam Anders and Glee's Peer Astrom tackling the songs, while Gosford Park's Stephen Altman will take charge of set design.

Rumors suggesting the Dirty Dancing remake will be an all-live TV event, like last week's (ends04Dec15) The Wiz, last year's (14) Peter Pan and next month's (Jan16) Grease: Live have been shot down.

Start and transmission dates for the Dirty Dancing TV project have yet to be confirmed.