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The actor turned Rat Pack style singer who was runner-up in last year's contest has, in a few short months, been to USA, performed using Frank Sinatra's microphone at LA's legendary Capitol Studios and released his own hit album.

Tonight sees his hugely successful UK tour roll into Poole. The evening looks likely to include numbers from the album and other favourites.

Ray's favourite tracks are songs originally performed by legends like Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr and, of course, the aforementioned Sinatra.

After recording his album in LA and shooting video footage in both LA and Las Vegas, Ray admitted: "I had to pinch myself. To be able to make any album would have been an amazing opportunity, but to record the sort of songs I grew up listening to is just unbelievable. I honestly feel so lucky."

Appearing on tour with him are 17-year old pop-star-in-waiting Lauren Rose who started singing and performing when she was just four.

She turned professional after being spotted by impresario Bryan Morrison (Pink Floyd and Elton John) who, having heard Lauren's voice and, blown away by her talent, declared her to be a star in the making.

Also on the bill is forgotten X Factor contestant Laura Critchley who was rejected by judges in the first round being told: "It's not your voice, your age or the song. It's just that we've already put through a lot of blonde females today..."

Undeterred she decided to take matters into her own hands. She got on to the music circuit and played live for anyone and everyone who would listen.

A year later her musical CV speaks for itself. She has recorded three songs with Robbie Williams, toured the UK with the Sugababes, featured on the front cover of the Observer Music Monthly, appeared at the latest Woman's Aid Concert and scored a role in a Hollywood movie with John Cusack and Naomi Watts.

So much for being dismissed for the colour of her hair.