FRESH from the hit television series Steps: On the Road Again and an arena tour, Ian ‘H’ Watkins is back at Bournemouth Pavilion this month starring in the title role of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream-coat.

The musical, one of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most popular, is the Biblical story of Joseph and his brothers told through a series of eminently singable songs, including Close Every Door, Any Dream Will Do and Jacob and Sons.

Having garnered sensational reviews, Bill Kenwright’s production continues to enjoy huge success across the country with standing ovations at every performance and is in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest running touring musical of all time.

Having already achieved a relatively successful career in the performing arts, Ian Watkins a lad from South Wales, could not have imagined on answering an ad for a pop band that Steps would go on to be one of the biggest selling acts of the nineties, releasing eight albums and selling 20 million records worldwide.

With 22 singles to their name, the band holds some impressive credentials.

Post Steps, Ian joined forces with fellow band mate Claire to release three top ten singles and the album Another You, Another Me, the title track of which was written for them by Benny and Bjorn from Abba.

At this point they also took over presenting the awardwinning Saturday morning children’s show SM:TV. Ian’s move to the world of musicals came post-Steps after he graduated from the Royal Academy of Music, where his journey was followed by the six part series H Side Story, on Channel 4.

In addition to his rapturously received performance in Joseph at the New London Theatre, Ian has also appeared on stage in the iconic role of the childcatcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang; Nick Piazza in Fame; Dave in Before Bristol; Michael in Erogenous Zones; Jeffery in Family Planning; Rupert in One O’Clock From The House and Duncan in Rhinestone Mondays.

This colourful retelling of the biblical story about Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours sings out to young and old alike.

It is running at Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre from August 20-24. Call 0844 576 2000 for details.