Jonathan Bailey paints on a smile to attend the Ink premiere in Venice as he makes first appearance since quitting West End show in 'show of support' for pal Ariana Grande

Jonathan Bailey has stepped out for the first time since quitting his role in the West End show Sunday In The Park With George, as he attended the Ink premiere on the opening night of the Venice Film Festival.The Bridgerton star stunned fans on Tuesday by sharing that he would no longer appear in the musical, in a show of 'unwavering support' for his 'dearest friend' Ariana Grande.Jonathan joined a slew of stars on the first night of Venice's annual festival, arriving in a sharp black suit.Ink, which is competing for the coveted Golden Lion, stars Claire Foy, Jack O'Connell and Guy Pearce, and all three stars were also in attendance for the premiere on Wednesday.Directed by Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire filmmaker Boyle, the biographical drama chronicles Rupert Murdoch's 1969 acquisition of The Sun and his appointment of editor Larry Lamb.Pearce portrays the Australian media mogul, while O'Connell stars as Lamb, who was tasked with transforming the struggling newspaper into a tabloid capable of overtaking its rival, the Daily Mirror. Jonathan Bailey has stepped out for the first time since quitting his role in the West End show Sunday In The Park With George, as he attended the Ink premiere at the Venice Film Festival The Bridgerton star stunned fans on Tuesday by sharing that he would no longer appear in the musical, in a show of 'unwavering support' for his 'dearest friend' Ariana GrandeClaire plays Jules Davies, the sole female reporter recruited to the newspaper's fledgling team.The film opens with Murdoch attempting to persuade Lamb to run his newly acquired newspaper and fulfil his ambition of making it the greatest in the world.Its story unfolds against the backdrop of 1969, the year of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, as Lamb assembles a ragtag newsroom to relaunch the title.Ink was adapted by Graham from his play of the same name, which premiered in London's West End in 2017 before transferring to Broadway two years later.It came just hours after Jonathan shared a statement revealing his surprise exit from his West End role, in support of Ariana's decision to also withdraw. He wrote on Instagram: 'Ari is one of my dearest friends, and my support for her is unwavering. 'Marianne [the production's director] is extraordinary and one of my longest collaborators and friends. After much consideration, I have decided to step back from Sunday in the Park with George. 'This brilliant, introspective musical has been a real passion project for me, and I feel incredibly lucky to have shared in its journey with this team. Jonathan joined a slew of stars on the first night of Venice's annual festival, arriving in a sharp black suit It came just hours after Jonathan shared a statement revealing his surprise exit from his West End role, in support of Ariana's decision to also withdraw Ariana (pictured with Jonathan in November) announced her decision to pull out of the show last month, ahead of her plans to take a lengthy break from the spotlight'Among many things, the story explores the deep connection between George and Dot, a beautiful, devoted pairing, and I so look forward to seeing what the two actors who will now take on these roles will create with it.'I wish the very best to the entire company, I will be cheering them on as they continue with this production. Jonny x' A statement from the producers of Sunday In The Park With George read: 'Following Ariana Grande's withdrawal, Jonathan Bailey has informed the producers that he has also decided to withdraw from Sunday in the Park with George.'Work on the production continues. Casting discussions are actively under way, and the creative team is reshaping the production around a new company while preserving the ambition and artistic integrity of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's musical.'Further casting and production details will be announced in due course.'Jonathan was seen smiling and dancing the night away at Ariana's Eternal Sunshine tour in London last week. The Wicked co-stars, who are close friends, were due to star opposite each other in the production at the Barbican Centre next summer. The pair will both be recast as theatre bosses actively look for new talent. Ariana announced her decision to step back from visibility last month and confirmed she would no longer be taking part in the West End show. Ariana's spokesman told PEOPLE: 'Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour. 'She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny.' 'This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.'A statement from the producers of Sunday In The Park With George, Empire Street Productions, read: 'Following this evening's announcement from Ariana Grande's team, we can confirm that she has decided to step back from Sunday in the Park with George. 'We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support. 'We wish her nothing but the best. The production will open at the Barbican in summer 2027 as planned, and casting will be announced in due course.'Ariana's appearance has come under scrutiny in recent months, especially following the release of her new music video, Petal.She has publicly insisted that she's healthy but that didn't stop fans from pointing out how incredibly gaunt she looks in the violent music video.Ariana clarified that her career hiatus had been 'quietly planned a long time ago' before insisting that the decision was not made because 'negativity was ruining things for me'.Ariana explained on stage at one of her shows: 'Multiple things can be true at the same time. Yes, boundaries, they need to be set. Human beings can need a break sometimes.'She added that her tour, which she kicked off in North America in June, 'will continue to be the greatest experience of my professional and creative life'.'Sometimes when a story comes out that's not directly from me, things can get a little blown out of proportion,' Ariana began, 'So I just wanted to speak to my fans directly tonight because I love you so much. The announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing.''It is something that I had decided to plan that I had quietly made a long time ago and it's a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place. And I want you to know many things can be true at the same time.''I want to share this because I heard that my fans were worried that negativity was ruining things for me, but I just have to say that could not be more the f**k opposite. Honestly, this is not what that is.''And I just want to be very, very clear: Multiple things can be true at the same time. Yes, boundaries, they need to be set. Human beings can need a break sometimes. And also, this can be and will continue to be the greatest experience of my professional and creative life.''No matter what noises exist out there, nothing will ever be able to distort my reality or be more real to me or elaborate to me than this love that we share,' she gushed to fans from the stage.'The rest of that s**t is not mine to carry, so I don't carry it. I need to get out here and differentiate that from my truth for you all because I love you and this tour has been the most healing, beautiful, corrective, magnificent, special experience of my life.'