Tonight’s grand final of Any Dream Will Do live on BBC One saw understudy Lee Mead triumph in the public vote and win the right to wear the coveted Technicolor Dreamcoat in a new West End production of Joseph.

Immediately after landing one of the best loved roles in musical theatre, Lee Mead said:

“I’m shocked, I was obviously hoping that I’d do well, but it hasn’t sunk in at all. I feel incredible - it’s the best feeling in the world.”

Legendary composer and producer Andrew Lloyd Webber, who had absolutely no say in the choosing of his new leading man as viewers voted to select their Joseph, was thrilled with the public’s choice, saying:

“I’m absolutely delighted. Lee may have been an understudy, but he’s never sung in front of me, or sung in front of milions of people before. He did a fantastic job.”

Host Graham Norton said:

“Lee is a consummate professional, he commands the stage. As an audience member, you are so relaxed with him in charge. You have total confidence that he is able to do the job. He can do it all.”

Doctor Who star and West End leading man John Barrowman commented:

“Lee won because he is polished, professional and close to perfection in what he does. He goes on stage and commands it, and one of the best qualities about him is that he doesn’t analyse the song too much. He just gets out there and does it. I’m happy to give over my West End leading man’s shoes for a while, to allow him to fill them.”

West End leading lady Denise Van Outen said:

“Lee from the very beginning right through to the very end has been the most consistent out of all the contestants. He has the ability to make even really popular songs his own and he has his own unique style of performing. The next time he lands a role as a leading man, can he put me forward to be the leading lady?”

Theatre impressario and Everton Chairman Bill Kenwright commented:

“Lee won because he totally, but totally, deserves to step out of the shadows of the chorus and become a leading man. Time and time again he took standards by such luminaries as Presley, Darin and Jagger and made me forget the originals. There’s no greater tribute I can pay to any artist than that. This is it Lee, this is what you’ve wanted, this is what you’ve waited for and this is what, more than anything, you have deserved it, since you first saw Joseph in Southend as a kid. Enjoy every second of it.”

Vocal coach Zoe Tyler, who has worked constantly with the boys throughout the run of the show, said:

“As soon as Lee sets foot on the stage he lights the whole stage up, he knows how to perform and he knows how to bring the audience in 100 per cent. His vocals are in a class of their own. His strengths are his incredible ability to give a leading man performance and that his vocals and range are phenomenal. I’d advise him to pace himself, enjoy every single moment and that he now has to believe he is a star.”