Craig Chalmers' life has changed immeasurably since he stepped out on stage and auditioned for the recent hit BBC series Any Dream Will Do.

Not only is he now playing Joseph in an enormous national tour, which has been on the road since August, he's doing 12 shows a week, obliterating any semblance of a normal life outside of the theatre and rendering him teetotal.

But the 27-year-old is loving every minute of it, and whenever he gets tired, he reminds himself that putting in the hard work now will only pay off.

"I'm playing to sold out theatres all over the country, whereas before I'd turn up to do a gig and the pub or club would only be half full.

"But playing Joseph is just fantastic. It really is a dream come true - I just want to make a great job of it but of course, you have to make sacrifices."

These include going out, drinking with his buddies and having to go to bed early after every show.

"I was contracted to do 10 shows a week but at the moment I'm doing 12! On Saturdays we do three shows, so I'm really having to look after myself by eating well and getting as much sleep as possible, because I don't want to disappoint the public.

"So, yes it is a bit mad. But it's pretty much what I expected and it's been great.

"The last nine months have certainly been an amazing launch pad for me and I've learned so much and grown up along the way.

"I always knew I could do it and had the stamina. I just needed the rough edges smoothed out."

So is Craig also aware that Josephs in the past, such as Jason Donovan and Darren Day, have famously fallen off their pedestals into spiralling drug addictions?

"Yes. I've read Jason's autobiography and followed Darren Day's downfall.

"But I think if I was going to do that I would have done it already.

"As it is, I had a bit of a reputation with the ladies but I'm in a stable relationship now and have never been into smoking, taking drugs or heavy drinking. I like a social drink like everyone else, but nothing more than that.

"And I'm a strong minded person - hearing about other people's mistakes just helps keep my feet on the ground."

*Joseph opens at the New Theatre, George Street, Oxford, on Monday.