LLOYD Daniels was only 16 when he competed in X Factor back in 2009, finishing in fifth place behind winner Joe McElderry and runner-up Olly Murs.

While those two may have already gone on to establish themselves as major artists in their own right, Lloyd is now hoping that his first major acting role will allow him to step out of the shadow of the TV talent show once and for all.

He will play Ben in Closets the Musical which opens at the Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester on Tuesday, a time travelling, emotional rollercoaster of a ride which also stars Ackley Bridge’s Sam Retford.

Sam’s character Henry is struggling with his sexuality in 1988 and finds himself travelling in time to 2018 where he finds Ben living in his bedroom and trying to come to terms with similar issues.

The pair embark on a journey which takes them to the Stonewall Bar in New York back in 1969 and looks at attitudes in society and families to individuals’ sexuality.

“It’s already been an amazing experience to be part of the show and we haven’t even opened yet,” said Lloyd. “The magic that is unfolding around us is brilliant.”

Closets also stars former Emmerdale and Coronation Street actress Hayley Tammadon.

“She is an amazing actress,” said Lloyd. “I think I was totally in awe of her at the first rehearsal but she has been so generous to me and helped me to prepare for playing Ben.

“He’s a very shy quiet character but you can still have a major impact on stage even when you’re not saying anything.”

Lloyd has starred in a UK tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and a number of other musical shows but admits that Closets represents his biggest challenge to date.

“In my other roles, the shows have all been completely been sung so you basically act through the song whereas with this I’m acting for the first time as a character. I do sing a little here and there but the majority of my role is acting which is a real challenge but I’m loving it.”

“Ben goes through so many emotions in the show – one moment he’s breaking down, then the next he’s feeling great about himself and it’s up to me to make that as convincing as possible. I’m around some great people who have helped me and it’s exactly the kind of challenge I wanted.”

Lloyd believes that Closets is a very important and particularly relevant show.

“It shows all the light and dark that is faced by being a member of the LGBT community,” he said. “We look at the problems faced in the Sixties and also show that a lot of the issues then remain today.

“Whether you are from that community or not, I think you will take a lot from the show.

“I would like to think that we will connect with people who are maybe struggling to come to terms with their sexuality or who are struggling to be accepted by their family or friends for who they really are.”

Lloyd revealed that he was often bullied at school.

“At school didn’t know who I was,” he said, “to be fair, I’m still learning every day. I don’t like labels and that’s one reason I have never openly talked about my sexuality fully because in my head it’s nobody else’s business.

“But my family have been great and I really can’t imagine what it must be like for someone who is close to you to say they can’t accept you for who you are.”

Lloyd is hoping that his run in Closets will help open more doors for him.

“I’d love to do some TV work,” he said. “Partly because it’s something that I’ve not done yet and I really do want to concentrate on more acting work.”

He’s also hoping that he will be able to leave behind the associations with X Factor.

“I don’t shy away where I have come from,” he said, “I was very young when I went on X Factor and looking back it probably wasn’t the right time for me, but it has led me to being able to do what I’m doing now.

“It’s about the time now where I would love to start turning heads for a different reason rather than being the X Factor guy – and this show is exactly what I needed both in terms of the acting role and also being able to work with such amazing people.”

Closets the Musical, Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester, Tuesday, August 14 to Saturday, August 23. Details from www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk or call 0333 012 4963