Matthew Jenkin speaks to Any Dream Will Do runner-up Keith Jack about finally slipping on the famous dreamcoat in the latest Joseph tour, bringing a flash of many colours to The Orchard in Dartford next week.

He may have missed out on winning the coveted lead role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's West End revival of camp classic Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, but Any Dream Will Do's baby-faced contestant Keith Jack needn't beat himself up about it.

After the hit BBC contest ended and winner Lee Mead dazzled audiences in the West End, Jack bagged the role of the Narrator in the Joseph tour.

Around three years later, and a handful of other projects in between, the 23-year-old is back touring with the fun-packed musical. Only this time, his dream of playing Joseph has come true.

Singing and dancing its way into The Orchard in Dartford next week, Jack is over the moon to be finally playing the iconic character.

News Shopper: Keith Jack stars in the title role in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat

How did you end up finally getting the lead role in Joseph?

Keith Jack: At the start of last year I was at a party and Bill Kenwright asked me if I’d like to come and play Joseph in the summer. I accepted with open arms.

What was it like finally putting on the famous many-coloured coat?

KJ: It’s amazing and fantastic to play that part. It’s a great iconic role which so many great people have played. It’s amazing to become a part of the show’s history.

Was it quite a blow to come runner-up in Any Dream Will Do?

KJ: Not at all. For me to come from working in a supermarket to go on to come second in a national TV programme watched by thousands of people was just amazing.

I always thought Lee would win it, so to come second to him was a fantastic achievement for me.

I am so glad I did come second because I’ve done lots of different things in between and, four years on, I’ve come back to play Joseph.

I think I’m now just that bit more mature and ready to play the part and I think it’s all worked out rather perfectly.

Did you already have an offer lined up to tour with Joseph when the show ended?

KJ: There were a lot of different offers. I did a number of different concerts and then finally I got an offer to star in the Joseph tour and take over the part of the Narrator and make it male for the first time in about 30 years.

It was great to be part of the show and I’ve loved every minute of it.

The Narrator is a very demanding role. How does playing Joseph compare?

KJ: Joseph has a lot more character development, whereas the Narrator is more a storyteller and very still.

There are a lot of different challenges for both roles. In terms of singing, the Narrator is quite low because I am a tenor so Joseph is a much better fit for me.

News Shopper: Keith Jack stars in the title role in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat

With Joseph you get the great experience of putting on the coat and there’s a lot more for a male actor to get out of the role of Joseph than the Narrator.

Was it quite a shock to go into a huge touring production for the first time?

KJ: Oh yes, definitely. But it was fine because I knew my voice was good and could hold up mostly anything. I don’t really get ill that much and it seems to work fine when I need it to. The experience actually gave me a lot of strength.

One of the criticisms from judges on Any Dream was that you looked a bit too young to be Joseph? How have you got over that problem?

KJ: I’ve been to the gym every day. When I was on the programme I used to weigh about nine stone and now I weigh about 12 stone. So there’s a big difference.

I work out every day with the cast and there’s a big difference to my body. I’ve grown up a bit since the programme and I do look that bit older.

You obviously have been involved in other projects, but you keep coming back to Joseph. Are you worried people will only remember you for that show?

KJ: I don’t see that decision as an obstacle at all. I’ve played the Narrator and I have learnt a lot about myself as a performer and as a singer/actor.

I then went on to do other things and I’ve come back to play Joseph. I think I would have kicked myself if I hadn’t taken the opportunity to play him because it was always something I dreamed of doing.

After this, I will move on and that will be it for me.

I’ve now learnt a lot about the industry and there’s a lot of new and exciting shows in the pipeline.

It’s not hindered me in any way and if anything it has actually helped.

You can catch Keith Jack at The Orchard in Home Gardens, Dartford, from March 15 to March 19. For tickets, call 01322 220000 or visit orchardtheatre.co.uk