A LITTLEHAM actor who, two years ago dreamed of starring in a West End musical, has achieved his wish after winning the lead role in Les Miserables. In 2007, Alistair Brammer, of Littleham Road, was a wannabe West End actor on the BBC television programme

A LITTLEHAM actor who, two years ago dreamed of starring in a West End musical, has achieved his wish after winning the lead role in Les Miserables.

In 2007, Alistair Brammer, of Littleham Road, was a wannabe West End actor on the BBC television programme, Any Dream Will Do, hoping to impress Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber to win the coveted lead role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Then he was unsuccessful, but now the 20-year-old former Littleham Primary School pupil is preparing to tread the boards of the West End's Queen's Theatre, playing the lead role of Marius.

The former Exmouth Community College student who previously played the lead role of Marius in the West End's 25th anniversary performance of Les Miserables, never lost sight of his goal - vowing he would one day return to the West End stage as a professional actor.

Recently Alistair, who began his stage career with Exmouth's Centre Stage Theatre Company, beat thousands of actors auditioning for the lead role.

After three successful auditions and a final fourth call back, theatre producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh personally gave him the job.

Alistair's mum, Eileen, said he is now rehearsing for the opening night on June 22.

She said: "He always said when he played it on the 25th anniversary, he would like to one day be given the role - and his chance has come now.

"It's quite surreal. He's made his dream come true. This is it for him. After this there will be no stopping him.

"He told me he feels very honoured to have been chosen. I can't believe we have a son who's a West End star. The whole family is very proud.

"He's coping very well with the rehearsals. He was obviously very nervous when he realised he was with all those professionals, but he said they've been really supportive."

On opening night, Eileen and Alistair's dad, Hugh, will be in the audience proudly watching their youngest child follow in the footsteps of Queen's Theatre greats Noel Coward and Anthony Newley.

Members of Centre Stage are also planning to make the trip to support their friend.

Mrs Brammer said her son had received no formal acting training or coaching.

"He's one of the youngest actors in the West End - and the youngest actor ever to have been cast in a lead role," she said.