Lee Mead has spoken out about his relationship with Denise Van Outen, saying that the seven year age gap between them, makes no difference to their relationship.

Lee and Denise first met as Lee competed in BBC’s Any Dream Will Do last year, however it was months later before they actually became a couple. Read more & comment »

Lucky lucky Denise Van Outen! How many of us would sell our back teeth, or our front ones for that matter for the chance of a date with the gorgeous Lee Mead!

Denise made it more than obvious on BBC reality TV show, Any Dream Will Do, that she had the hots for Lee. But when the show ended, both singers were in relationships and they fell out of touch for a while.

However, last month Lee split up from his girlfriend and when he found out Denise was also single, invited her to dinner.

A ‘pal’ told the The Sun newspaper: “There was a real spark on the show. They liked each other, but neither was available. After they finished filming in June they lost touch for a while. Read more & comment »

Denise Van Outen has slammed recent ITV reality TV shows, saying that they are more interested in their ratings, than their contestants.

Denise echoed a recent debate on our forum when she told The Stage:

“They [Grease Is The Word] were not so serious about finding genuine stars.

“I am not saying the two people who won were not good as I have not seen them, but I think their search was more for TV viewers rather than finding and nurturing people for the West End.”

The Any Dream Will Do judge added: “The reason why the BBC shows are such a good thing is because I know the aftercare the contestants get when they leave the show. Read more & comment »

Lee Mead, winner of reality TV show, Any Dream Will Do, has reached the pinnacle of his career so far, and picked up the Rear Of The Year 2007 award. The charity event aims to help the Beating Bowel Cancer organisation.

West End star Lee said: “I’m absolutely delighted this crucial part of my anatomy is helping to raise awareness for such an important cause.”

Andrew Lloyd Webber has said that the only reason the X Factor is enjoying such high ratings at the moment, is because his shows are off air.

The Lord, 59, said: “Last year it was up against Maria for a few weeks.

“We took a big chunk of their ratings. We were getting about six million and they were getting about seven million.

“So of course they are doing well this year — there’s nothing up against them.”

Lloyd Webber also revealed he will be back on TV with a BBC Christmas special with all the Maria and Joseph finalists.

And he added: “I am still talking with the BBC for a show next year. But it won’t be one of my musicals.”

Lee Mead, winner of BBC TV show, Any Dream Will Do, has landed a £100,000 record deal with Polydor records.

It is expected that Lee will release his debut albulm this Christmas.

A record company source says: “He’s going to be the new Michael Ball – but a lot cooler.”

Any Dream Will Do runners up, Lewis Bradley and Ben Ellis have both won major roles on the West End.

Lewis will share the role of Joseph with show winner, Lee Mead for one show a week, while Ben has landed a role on the West End Version of Hairspray.

Ben said: Read more & comment »

Lee Mead suffered yet another technical hitch last night during his debut performance in Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

As if it wasn’t bad enough that last week’s preview was ruined by a massive technical problem, leaving the cast with no set or props, last night’s opening show had to be halted once again due tgo a problem with the revolving stage.

Luckily, most critics seemed impressed by Lee’s performance, The Telegraph’s Charles Spencer said Mead “has a powerful and expressive voice” but was concerned “his vocals were beginning to sound a little frayed” by the end. Read more & comment »

Lee Mead, winner of BBC TV show, Any Dream Will Do, will be facing the critics for the first time tonight as Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat opens tonight.

Here’s hoping the show goes better than last weeks preview, when due to a technical hitch, the second half of the show was performed with no set, lights or props!

Runner up from the BBC TV show, Any Dream Will Do, Craig Chalmers has landed the starring role in a touring production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

The 16-week regional tour of the musical kicks off on 20 August at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley, Kent.

The singer, who was once in the boyband No Reason, is hoping to use his “pop background to give Joseph a more up-to-date image”. Read more & comment »

Lee Mead faces another nail-biting competition this weekend as his recording of Any Dream Will Do for BBC Children in Need makes its bid for the top of the UK charts.

His chart nemesis is Rihanna, whose single Umbrella has dominated the top spot for five consecutive weeks, but Lee has fellow Any Dream Will Do finalists Keith Jack and Lewis Bradley in his corner, singing on the CD bonus track Close Every Door.

Any Dream Will Do is also available as a download as well as a double track CD single and every copy sold will help BBC Children in Need top last year’s total of £32 million. Read more & comment »

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.” Read more & comment »

When the public picks their Joseph in Saturday’s final of BBC One’s Any Dream Will Do they will also be deciding the star of the next BBC Children in Need single.

The three finalists – Keith, Lewis and Lee – have been to the recording studio and the resulting double A-side single will feature two songs – Any Dream Will Do, by the series winner, and an ensemble performance of the heart-wrenching and now familiar exit number, Close Every Door.

Whilst there can only be one Joseph and star of the West End show, the recording session will provide a memorable experience for the runners-up and a fantastic opportunity to raise funds to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK. Read more & comment »

BBC bosses scrapped a scene with the boys from Any Dream Will Do being locked in a jail cell out of respect for kidnapped BBC journalist Alan Johnston.

The boys were locked in the cell for three hours and then asked to sing Close Every Dorr to me for Saturday nights show. But the BBC decided not to air the scene out of respect for the BBC Middle East correspondent Alan, who was kidnapped in Gaza. The Beeb said “It was felt inappropriate.”

The BBC has announced that a panel of experts will now choose the winning choir to perform at the final of Any Dream Will Do.

Originally the public were supposed to vote on their favourite choir via the BBC website, but due to technical problems and talk of unfair voting, the BBC has decided to let the experts decide.

The 843 choir entries will be whittled down to 20 by the same expert panel who selected the Joseph finalists from regional heats, which includes the show’s vocal coach and judge, Zoe Tyler.

The winner will then by chosen by Andrew Lloyd Webber and fellow composer Howard Goodall.