Twelve months ago nobody knew who Lee Mead was, except perhaps theatre go-ers who had seen him in Phantom of the Opera as an understudy, but after winning BBC's Any Dream Will Do he has been catapulted to stardom.His performances over a three month period secured him the public vote which landed him the role of Joseph in Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat in the West End.Lee is now a bona fide leading man appearing in eight shows a week in the heart of theatre land in London.But musical theatre aren't the only strings to this young man's bow as he is about to release his self entitled debut album.I caught up with Lee to discuss the BBC show, his new release and performing in the West End.

How has your life changed since winning the Any Dream Will Do competition?
It’s been a big change really lifestyle wise, I haven’t changed who I am, just doing it on a daily basis is just very different dong photoshoots and interviews concerts and albums, being a leading man in the West End it’s just incredible really. I am doing Children Need on Friday, I’m opening that, so it’s amazing to have been asked to do that, just really roller coaster amazing stuff.

It’s insane to think that just a couple of months ago I was getting the train to work, to do a show that I was doing at the time which was Phantom of the Opera, I was getting the train and nobody knew really who I was and in just a few months I’m being recognised and doing all these big things.

And you were already an understudy in Phantom how difficult a decision was it to leave that security and go into the uncertainty of the competition?

It was huge, I can’t describe how big it was for me, basically my whole career I had worked up to this point, that was the biggest job of my career at that point, I started off in cabaret, cruise ferries, pantomimes did a few musicals and sung covers.

So it was my first West end job understudying a lead part, a great show as well, in a year contract and a year into the contract I saw the auditions on telly for Joseph and I just thought it’s the chance for me to go for a leading man role. But it was also a role that had a huge personal connection to me, it was the first show I saw as a kid and it was the fist touring show that I did, so I just thought ten thousand guys auditioned go along don’ think anything of it, I didn’t expect to get very far, and the further I got I had to tell the company.

But they were really supportive they were like this is a good opportunity for you we support you. But when I got to the last twelve they said sorry but you have to make a decision between going into the final twelve, I could have been knocked out the first week it ran for three months the programme, and if I was knocked out the first week they said there was no job waiting for me when I got back because we have to give your position to somebody else or it’s not fair and also I had bought a flat at the time so I had a mortgage to pay so it was a huge risk.

But I had a gut feeling; I went for it and it paid off luckily I’m living the dream now.

How much did you learn from the programme from a performance perspective?

I had been performing for a while so in terms of doing singing and routining I was quite experienced on that level but it was a whole new ground for me in terms of the TV side of things and going live to seven or eight million people and going through an audition period over three months the judges and the audience I think that any professional person would find that hard.

What has it been like working with Andrew Lloyd Webber?

It has been great, going into my career he is the guy that you look up too, he is musical theatre and to have one to one meetings with him and rehearsals and interaction with him, I have a lot of respect for the guy, he knows what he wants and he is at the top of his game for a reason.

What has the response been from theatre goers?

Touch wood they are going away really happy, the show is sold out for months. And I always said if I played this role it’s about a hundred per cent commitment, and that is what I give every night, it’s a high energy show, a great fun show, and people deserve o come along and be entertained and they are going away happy and having a good time.

You are about to release your debut album did you ever intend to be a recording artist?

I hoped one day it would happen yeah as a performer it’s in you to want to try new things and have a varied career. Musical theatre is a big part of my life but I always wanted the opportunity to make my own music and be a recoding artist definitely and when album deal came forward from Polydor I was over the moon.

We all sat down and worked out the best way and the best direction for myself to go in and I think that we have got it really. It’s not very me to be too dark and off the wall and I’m not TV commercial it’s a good live band feel it’s a good vibe and I’m really happy with the songs as well.

We have cut no corners with the album there’s a big string section and a live band and we have got some top musician and top producers working on it as well and I think that the songs reflect me as an artist as well.

How did you find the recording experience?

I really enjoyed it actually I recorded for two or three weeks in some studios in central London and that was great fun being in a recording studio, quite a new experience for me as well. It was just great I had to learn the songs, and routine them as well, it’s been a busy period because of the show, I’m doing eight performances a week in the West End, so it’s been a busy time but a great experience, I sort of living in two worlds . I just really hope that the album is received well and that people enjoy it really.

Gary Barlow has written a song for the album how did that come about?

Well he came to see the show with his kids actually, and really enjoyed himself, and agreed to put a song on the album and they agreed to that, and for a new artist like myself to have agreeing to put a song on the album is wonderful he has been going a long time and writes good music.

You also worked with producer Graham Stack who has worked with Enrique Iglesias how was that?

Graham is wonderful he has a very calm manner about him and during intense periods in the studio when you are trying to get the best from the song he is very calm and will say ‘Let’s do it this way or let’s go back over this’ he makes you feel very relaxed he is very good at his job. To have someone of his level of experience was good.

The first single is going to be ‘Gonna Make You a Star’, which was a hit for David Essex, why did you cover this song?

It’s a double A Side actually so it’s ‘Gonna Make You a Star’ and ‘Why Can’t We Make Things Work?’ the main song is ‘Why Can’t We Make Things Work?’, which is being played on the radio, but we did shoot a video for ‘Gonna Make You a Star’.

But when I first heard the song I thought that was a but cheeky quite me, obviously it was from a long way back and I wondered how we were going to bring that song to date, but I think that they have done a great job it’s got a real edgy vibe to it you know?

What’s coming up for you in the next few months?

Well I’m going to be signed to Joseph at least til next June or October obviously depending on the how the album is received there could be a potential tour but it all depends on how the album is received really. There is some TV stuff in the pipeline but I have a lot of meetings, it’s all pipeline stuff there’s nothing se in stone, it’s just taking each month as it comes really.

And finally I suppose you have no regrets doing Joseph whatsoever?

Not at all no I think it has changed my life it has been a great thing for me, I have had to adapt my lifestyle and getting recognised and stuff, but it has opened up doors for me and also I’m doing what I wanted to do which was to be a leading an in the West End in a role that I have always wanted to play, it’s a great part as well a real feel good show, I just have great fun doing it.

Lee's debut album Lee Mead is released 19th November. And the single Gonna Make You A Star/Why Can't We Make Things Work is released 3rd December

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw

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