WHAT started as a dream has become reality for Craig Chalmers.

Last year, the 25-year-old Edinburgh lad entered a national hunt, headed by musical king Andrew Lloyd Webber, to find the next big stage star to take the lead role of Joseph in the smash hit musical.

Any Dream Will Do saw 12 finalists battle it out on stage in front of an expert panel of judges – Lloyd Webber, Bill Kenwright, Denise Van Outen and John Barrowman – with only one being crowned Joseph.

Although he finished in the final five, it seems Craig had the star qualities popular producer and director Bill Kenwright was looking for.

And for his latest production of Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's renowned production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Craig is taking the lead role.

"I've been in the production since August 2007 and it's been absolutely amazing," he said. "It's something I really enjoy and it's a fantastic show.

"For me the TV show was like a springboard for what started all of this so I'm very grateful for it. The coaching and help was invaluable and definitely helped me to kick-start my career.

"The whole show was full-on and it was very stressful and very intense watching. We had to train every day and we had to prove ourselves, so I'm proud to have got through all of that.

"I practically had a heart attack every time I stood on those stairs waiting to hear my fate, but it was worth it."

But Craig, a former Pop Idol entrant, is no stranger to the stage. Before joining Joseph, Craig was a singer for a male strip troupe called G-Force and was part of boyband No Reason.

During his time with No Reason, he enjoyed a Top 10 hit and performed at the King's Theatre in Edinburgh and Hampden Park, alongside Blue, McFly, Sugababes and Girls Aloud.

Then, a friend told him they had seen an advert for auditions for the show and the rest is history, but for the moment he's sticking with Joseph before hoping to land himself a job on TV when it finishes next year.

"It's great to be in such an exciting show," he said. "I think it appeals to so many people because it's the kind of show that passes through generations and is quite special."

And it's quite a feat securing the lead role, a character that has been played by the likes of Jason Donovan, Phillip Schofield, and Aled Jones, but the fact that it's previously been played by top names doesn't even phase Craig.

"When I first got up on stage I was aware of it, but it's didn't really bother me. I guess at first I was aware of it and was a bit nervous, but I had to embrace it and be happy.

"I wanted to concentrate on doing my own job of it and hoping that would be good and the reviews have been great, so I must have done something right.

"I tried to bring a bit of myself to the role. It's got a few comedy moments where you can give a bit of your own character and I'm a bit of a lad, so I was able to bring that in."

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat re-tells the Biblical story of Joseph and his 11 brothers and the coat of many colours.

The magical musical is full of unforgettable songs including Any Dream Will Do, Close Ev'ry Door To Me and One More Angel.

The smash-hit musical bursts on to the Empires's stage on Monday, June 30, and runs until Saturday, July 5.

Tickets cost between £12.50 and £26 and can be bought by phoning 0844 847 2499 or by logging on to www.sunderlandempire.org.uk