STAGE: Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Curve Leicester

He's got boyish charm and the cheekiest grin, but there's a maturity about Keith Jack the general public have seldom seen before. When we meet in Curve cafe, the Week is quite staggered to be greeted by a 24-year-old man in place of that teenage fledgling we came to know and love on the BBC series Any Dream Will Do.

Of course, as history goes, Keith lost out on the part of Joseph to the mighty Lee Mead, the now Mr Denise Van Outen.

But if truth be told, it was a blessing in disguise.

"Losing was a disappointment at the time, but it's probably worked out better," says Keith.

"Back then, during the programme, I was so much younger, but I've been away and grown up, learnt my craft, and now I'm doing it with effect."

And that he is. Keith slipped on Joseph's famous multi-coloured coat just shy of two years ago now, on the UK tour of Bill Kenwright's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

"It's a great part, and a great show to be part of, and after all this time, I'm still alive – so that's a good sign," he laughs.

Of course, he follows in the footsteps of the likes of Jason Donovan, Philip Schofield and Donny Osmond. But nothing seems to faze the Edinburgh-born performer.

"It's nice to recreate what so many amazing actors have done before, but I've enjoyed growing with the role.

"You can't help but play it differently where possible, bring a bit of yourself to the character. Hopefully, I'm making a good job of it."

Making a good job of things is something Keith has plenty of experience in.

Since his "big break" on television, Keith has made numerous stage and television appearances, and performed for the Queen and sung at Andrew Lloyd Webber's birthday concert as part of Proms in the Park.

He has also released two albums, This Time in 2008 and An Evening at the Musicals in 2009.

"The highlight will always be the programme because it was an amazing experience and I was so lucky to be involved with it. But when I sang for the Spanish royal family at the Parliament Picnic, that was amazing, too.

"I do have a classical tone to my voice, but musicals are where my heart lies.

"I'd love to be in Phantom of the Opera, or Les Miserables. I've seen them both so many times."

He's also seen Joseph a fair few times, too, having clocked up more than 1,000 performances during his run.

"When you think my day job was 'beep beep, do you have a clubcard?' before this, then yes, my life has dramatically changed. Now I get to do what I love every day."

Keith's checkout past meant he had to learn the musical theatre ropes on the job, and he's the first to admit it's been hard.

But it's an apprenticeship worth having.

"I have a really gruelling schedule, and there was a lot to do and learn, but repetition makes it easier.

"If I'm honest, it took a long time to sink in, but the cast are great and really stood by me. We're like a family, which helps when you're living on tour. We even have a Joseph football team who play in the theatre league."

Of course, Joseph will always be dear to Keith. It was his dream role – it still is.

And with five weeks left until the curtain falls on this chapter of his musical career, he's going to put his heart and soul into every performance, including two weeks in Leicester.

"My favourite part in the show is when Joseph meets his father again, though Jacob thinks his son is dead.

"I turn to the narrator, and start singing a slow version of Any Dream Will Do, and then I turn to Jacob.

"It's such a powerful moment, and I often hear people burst into tears.

"That's what's important to me, touching the audience emotionally."

He also makes them laugh, too. Need we say more than "that famous loincloth"?

"Oh, it did burst open once," he laughs. "I had to subtly hold together until the end of the scene. I wear pants underneath though!"

INFO

Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is on at Curve, Leicester, until April 29. Tickets, priced £18.75 to £29.75, are available on 0116 242 3595 or at:

www.curveonline.co.uk