‘It’s never been about money or fame or applause’

One of the West End’s most recognisable stars is heading to the region. Lee Mead, who’s currently starring in Holby City, celebrates a decade in the spotlight with a tour coming to Newark, Loughborough and Lincoln next year. He tells JAMES RAMPTON what fans can expect How do you feel about your forthcoming album and tour to mark your 10th anniversary since winning the role of Joseph in the 2007 West End revival of the iconic Andrew Lloyd Weber production?

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

Looking back on the last decade, how would you encapsulate it?

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’ve been approached a few times to do reality TV and I love watching some of those shows, but I’m not sure I would do very well on something like I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! The idea of eating crocodile testicles is not on my agenda! Touch wood, I like to think that over the last 10 years I’ve made the right career choices.”

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.

What other songs will you be performing on the tour?

I recently took my daughter Betsy to see the film Boss Baby. Five minutes into the film, the girl has to move away because her dad changes job. She is upset and the song her dad sings to calm her and get her to sleep is Blackbird. At that moment, I started welling up. I thought, “I have to sing that song in my show.” I found a rehearsal recording of Paul McCartney performing it with an acoustic guitar. There is such a raw element to that interpretation. I just love that song. It’s so simple and yet so beautiful.

Why do you think people are drawn to you?

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. Ken Dodd said to me once, “It’s never about me performing to them. The show is a shared experience.” You feed off each other and have an evening together. I love that. It’s the most wonderful feeling connecting with an audience. You can actually feel it.

How did the auditions go for Any Dream Will Do?

After the first two stages, the casting director told me, “You’ve got something. I’d like you to sing for Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.” I thought, “Hang on, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice?” My audition is now on YouTube. Andrew and Tim are like gods to me. They are men I have looked up to my whole life.

What happened in the audition?

I remember my heart was racing as I walked in. The audition was acappella, which means you have got to be on the ball vocally. I sang Anthem from Chess. At the end, Tim said, “It’s a shame we’re not casting Chess right now because you’d be in the show!” I just couldn’t believe he’d said that! That was a turning point because I was suddenly on Andrew and Tim’s radar.

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

Weird things go through your head when Graham [Norton] 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.” Then Graham said, “Three million people have voted.” I had a little chuckle as I thought, “That’s a lot of people!” 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.

Did it feel like fate that you won?

Yes. If I may say so, it did feel like it was my time. Everything came together. Joseph was the first show I’d seen. It was my favourite show and had always been part of my life. I simply love performing it. The greatest compliment I received was when Andrew said I was the best actor he’d ever seen playing Joseph.

Now you’re starring in Holby City. How did you land that role?

I was a guest in an episode of Casualty, playing Harry, a schoolteacher. Afterwards I got a handwritten letter from Oliver Kent, the executive producer. He wrote, “We were so impressed with what you did. You were such a gentleman on set. We’ll keep our eye on you.” I thought, “Yeah, you hear that all the time.” But two years later, the producers asked, “Could you come and audition? We have a character called Lofty who we think might be up your street.” Within two weeks, I was in Cardiff filming my first scene with Derek Thompson. He’s a lovely guy and has become a close friend.

Do you still get the same pleasure as always 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 when I was invited to sing for the Concert For Diana. It’s the same buzz for me. I adore connecting with people through music. I love my work. It’s a great privilege. I’m a very, very lucky guy.

Lee Mead is at Lincoln Drill Hill on March 10, Loughborough Town Hall July 28 and Palace Theatre, Newark, October 26.