Age: 24
Job: Actor / Singer
Location: Lewisham

“I think David Gest is funny. I’d love to go out and get drunk with him.

The Story So Far…

* All the panellists sent Michael to Bootcamp and they were really impressed.

* During Michael’s singing lesson on his first day vocal coach John said to Michael: “You have a rich voice. The breathing is a problem and you sound strained.” David Ian also said: “It’s a bad Elvis impression.”

* At Bootcamp. David Ian commented: “He’s arrogant – he needs to make me like him.” David Gest thought that he couldn’t make people believe he was Danny.

* During the deliberation David Ian commented: “I’ve got to get to like him.”

History

* Michael was born in Aldershot. He now owns his own house in Lewisham which he shares with his girlfriend Charlene.

* Charlene, 22, has been Michael’s partner for two years. They attended college together and then worked on a job where they fell in love!

* Michael has been singing for 14 years. He has worked on numerous shows including a tour of Joseph where he played the pharaoh, Jailhouse Rock (at the Piccadilly Theatre) and Beauty and The Beast.

* Michael attended college where he studied Musical Theatre. He has always wanted to work in the West End and Grease would be ‘a dream’.

What’s your worst job been?

“I’ve just finished a few weeks of telesales. That has to be my worst job ever!”

What made you apply for Grease?

“I’ve always enjoyed musical theatre and I’m a massive John Travolta fan. I must have all his films on DVD. I think he’s amazing and I’ve seen the musical at least eight times.

“I didn’t know what I thought about the whole reality TV thing at first because it was really hard at Bootcamp, but I enjoyed it and it was an experience and I always think ‘live the dream’, so I’m living the dream.

“My girlfriend Charlene is supporting me, my family – and I have a lot of family in Scotland and I‘m a big Celtic fan so hopefully I’ll have the Scots behind me.”

Have you had any theatrical training?

“I started having drama classes when I was 11. I saw a panto when I was 11 and told my dad I would love to do that!

“I won a singing competition when I was 16 and I got to record some tracks in a recording studio where I met this guy and auditioned for ‘The Mask’. I went away to Butlins for a year to do this musical. I met a lady on the opening night called Betty Lane and ended up going to her college to train for three years in Epsom Surrey.

“I graduated from college and went on a cruise ship for seven months where I was a singer. I then went into ‘Joseph’ on UK Bill Kenwright. I played The Pharoh (nearly four years ago). I went into a show in the West End called ‘Jailhouse Rock’. I was the alternate lead (Elvis). I went to Vegas with it as well. Then I went into the UK tour of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ where I met my girlfriend. I played Gaston for two years. I did Panto then auditioned for Grease Is The Word.”

Is there anything that you are worried about in the next stage?

“I’m worried about what the judges will say on the show!

“David Gest told me to lose some weight and tone up. I don’t think I look overweight. Shane Ritchie and Craig McLachlan played Danny and they look like proper men.

“Every time I was in front of them I was trying to be like Danny Zuko not like Michael Quinn. I never thought I’d cry on TV but I did.

How do you think you would handle fame?

“I think really well. I wouldn’t change, I would still be with my girlfriend, take her on holiday and throw a massive party for all my friends and family. I would adopt an orang-utan and probably call it Elvis.”

Who are your idols? Anyone you respect on the stage?

“Billy Joel without a doubt. Sammy Davis Junior; Jack Black and Will Ferrell. My dad is one of my idols – he’s been the main person the whole way through who has always been one step ahead. He was a captain in the Blues and Royals Regiment of the Household Cavalry. The same regiment as the Princes are in now. He’s Mr Ultimate Reality TV – he gives the answers before Simon Cowell does!”

What do you think of the judges?

“I think David Gest is funny. I love his big diamond crosses. They are very glam. I think he thinks he’s a lovely man but he seems wicked. I’d love to go out and get drunk with him.

“I really respect David Ian him because he was once a performer himself and he knows what he’s talking about. I like him and I think he’ll get the person he wants. On my very first audition David Ian said my audition was the most professional audition so far.