Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Early in 2007 Ben auditioned for both the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's search for a newcomer to play Joseph in a new West End production of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and also in ITV's Grease is the Word. He got through to the final selection in both, but took a huge gamble and decided to go with Joseph.

He had a rocky ride in Joseph, having to 'sing off' in front of Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber no fewer than four times. But he made it through to the semi-final where he lost out to Lewis. On each occasion he went head to head with another contestant for the right to stay in the show.

Disappointed, but not defeated he returned home to Scarborough and was then asked to audition for the West End production of 'Hairspray'. The show was bound to be a huge success, following hot on the heels of the hit film starring John Travolta and Zak Efron.

Ben as Link Larkin in Hairspray.

Ben landed a major part and the reality hadn't sunk in as he told Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio York's Richard Reynolds just before the opening night...

"Everything's moved so quick. One minute I'm at college, the next thing I'm doing the TV show and then the West End audition.

"I walk past the posters and see my name and it all goes over my head and I'm only starting to realise what's going on. It's quite overwhelming to be honest."

Ben will be appearing alongside West End and Broadway superstar Michael Ball, but what's it like working with a huge musical legend...

"Michael is one of my all time idols and he's so good to work with, his advice and wisdom. Just watching him working and doing his thing, you just learn so much. I never thought I'd be able to say I'd be working with Michael Ball, but here I am."

Ben had huge support in Scarborough.

Ben is playing teen heart-throb Link Larkin, but what's Link like?

"Link Larkin is the young heart-throb on the local TV show in Baltimore, he's a nice guy. Cool, easy going, loved by the girls, loved by the lads and he falls in love with Tracy Turnblad, the main character in the show.

Although performing eight shows a week is exhausting, Ben says it's brilliant and he's loving every minute of it.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ North Yorkshire knew Ben was destined for bigger and better things! He's just won a prestigious award - he was voted the 'best supporting actor in a musical' in the Theatregoers' Choice Awards. Hairspray won a record seven awards in total!