How do you feel about the forthcoming album and tour?

I didn’t think I’d make it this far! I am really excited about the tour and the new album release.

I’m very happy with the way my career has gone. I don’t feel that I have had to compromise along the way. I

What will the show consist of?

I’ll be doing more than 20 songs. I really believe in giving people their money’s worth. I’ll be doing the songs that have had an impact on me over the last 10 years - for instance, I’ll be performing Maria from West Side Story which is one of, if not the, greatest musical ever written. I thought it would be really nice to perform my own take on that particular song.

Are you looking forward to reconnecting with your loyal fans on tour?

Absolutely. Every singer needs that support. If you’re lucky enough to have it, then it’s fantastic. People come to see me from LA, Norway, Holland. There are about 400 of them who are hard-core fans. They come lots of times to every show I am in. For example, they would come to see me in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang four times a week.

Perhaps they connect with me because I’ve always tried to be an honest and open performer. I like to be more spontaneous than that. You can see if a performance is genuine or not.

You feed off each other and have an evening together. I love that. It’s the most wonderful feeling connecting with an audience.

Tell us how you landed your first professional job.

I left drama school in Southend on a Tuesday and bought a copy of The Stage on the Thursday. I saw an advert for an open audition for lead singers on a cruise ship, and I got the job. I was so delighted, I immediately called my mum and dad and told them I had the job. It was a great feeling. I was 20. I was on £200 a week, but I was being paid for the first time. I was elated.

It was hard work. We went up and down the Bay of Biscay, which is the third rockiest sea in the world. I did five different shows a week. Once a month, there would be a booze cruise across the Channel. We’d have to sing in a cage because the passengers were so lively.

How did you go from cruise ships to stage musicals?

My friend Ian had an audition for Joseph at the New London Theatre. He had no money and asked if I’d mind driving him down to London. As I sat waiting for Ian at the stage door, one of the defining moments of my life happened.

I don’t know what came over me, but on the spur of the moment, I got on my hands and knees and crawled underneath the lady taking names at the stage door and headed for the auditorium.

From the stalls, the director said, “Right, I know you have gate-crashed. You had better give us a good audition, then.”

I sang, I Want to Break Free by Queen, a song I know back to front, and I smashed it.

There was silence for about a minute. But then the director smiled and said, “Good job. very cheeky attitude and We’ll see you for the dance audition.” A week later I was rehearsing for the show. Ian said to me on the drive back to Suffolk, “Only you could have got away with that!”

I ended up playing both the Pharaoh and Brother Levi. It was 12 performances a week in what is known as the hardest show in the business. At the end of the tour, I felt exhausted. But we had done amazing venues like the 2000-seat Palace Theatre in Manchester. It was so exciting.

How did you make the next step up?

I was appearing in the chorus of Phantom of the Opera in the West End. One day, I was eating tuna pasta in my dressing room between shows on a Saturday when Graham Norton popped up on TV and asked, “Could you be the next Joseph?” It was a lightbulb moment for me. I can’t describe it. It felt like destiny.

Why do you think everyone loves Joseph?

It’s such an iconic show. Lots of people have done it at school. It’s part of everyone’s life. It’s so pure and honest. It doesn’t try to be anything that it’s not. The lyrics are so witty. It’s a wonderful story about a guy who wants to get ahead in life. Quite apt for Any Dream Will Do, really. Joseph is a character I can relate to so much. He’s a dreamer with ambitions who wants to make things happen.

How did you feel when you were announced as the winner of Any Dream Will Do?

Weird things go through your head when Graham says, “The winner is…” I was thinking, “If I don’t win this, I don’t care because I’ve had the most wonderful experience.” When he said my name, it was so surreal, like an out of body experience. I sank my head into my hands. A huge weight had lifted, and I was overcome by sense of a happiness. Then I thought, “Blimey, now I’ve actually got to do the role!” But that moment changed my life.

You have a wonderful career, but what would you say is the most important thing in your life?

My seven-year-old daughter Betsy. I see my life as a pyramid, and Betsy is at the top of that. I’m fortunate in that I have a very busy career. It’s great to have work, but if ever I feel I’m not getting the balance right, I check myself and get back to the idea of the pyramid. Betsy always comes first.

Do you still get the same pleasure out of your work?

Absolutely. For me it’s never been about money or fame or applause. I just love making people happy. I get as much pleasure out of playing to 80 people in a small room as to 80,000 at Wembley Stadium. I adore connecting with people through music. I love my work. It’s a great privilege.

Lee Mead, the Lowry, Salford Quays, Friday, March 23. Details from 0843 2086000 or

www.thelowry.com