Age: 29
Job: Singer
Location: Manchester

“It’s not been easy trying to get going again since I’ve been back in the UK. It’s giving me a chance to get back out there and show what I can do.”

The Story So Far…

* At Anthony’s first audition, David Gest thought he had charm, while Brian agreed he had talent but was concerned about his physical condition.

* During Anthony’s singing class at Bootcamp David Gest was full of praise telling Anthony he had a great voice. He also commented on his attitude saying: “Once a star always a star.”

* The judges decided to put Anthony through to the live shows, but commented that he would have to sort out his fitness.

History

* Anthony was born and raised in Manchester.

* He’s been singing for as long as he can remember although he’s never had any training. Anthony has previously a record deal with Virgin Records.

* Following on from a number of Top 20 hits including ‘I Can Make You Feel Good’ and ‘MFEO’ Anthony scooped the 1997 Smash Hits Best British Solo Male Award.

* His second Album ‘Instinct’ didn’t do as well as the record companies had hoped and he decided to leave England and move to LA.

* While he was in the States Anthony penned tracks for other artists including BB Mak and Gareth Gates.

What’s your job? What’s your best and worst job been?

“Well, after the whole pop thing I moved out to LA - I was knocking on doors and always getting down to the last few but never quite making it. When I ran out of money completely I worked in a candle shop packing candles in the back of the shop in Melrose, LA.

“I also worked in McDonalds when I left school. I got fired though because there was a clean bin (where unsold food is left), you’re not allowed to touch it, but greedy guts here got caught eating it. I had a fillet O’ Fish in my gob and got fired. I didn’t even get one star.”

What made you apply for Grease?

“Somebody told me about it and said I’d be perfect for the role. I watched the film and I think I’m a bit goofy sometimes. I had just come back from LA and the auditions were happening. All my family, mates, and my gang in America will be supporting me. I’m great friends with Suranne Jones and Lulu so I hope they’ll come to the show and support me.”

What makes you think you can be the next Sandy/Danny?

“If you’re looking for a bit of a goofball who can entertain on the night I think I can fit that bill. You might not know what’s coming next with me – I don’t even know!”

What does it mean to you to play Danny?

“It would mean a lot because it means the public can see I can pull it off which is a huge compliment. It’s not been easy trying to get going again since I’ve been back in the UK. It’s giving me a chance to get back out there and show what I can do.

How do you think you would handle fame?

“It’s definitely a Catch 22 because people could say it’s not fair he’s doing it because he’s had it before. But I think in this day and age everyone can be on TV for anything, plus it could actually be harder the second time round and the fame I had back then could be a hindrance.”

What’s your ultimate ambition?

“This has fast-tracked me to getting used to performing again and it’s got me fired up again so if, I don’t win this, I definitely won’t be going back to being a songwriter, I’ll be going back to being a performer.”

What do you think of the judges?

“I think David Gest is on another planet, but he’s fantastic and he really helped me. I think he saw me get nervous and said ‘I feel for you’. He said: “Before I did the jungle people had a perception of me, I went on the show and I changed people’s perception, you’ve got to lose that nervousness”. It spurred me on when he said that. Also when Brian said I was sloppy it spurred me on, so on the last day, I pulled it together and Brian said ‘You look like you’ve lost 8lbs in your sleep’, and I said I had, because of stress!”