SOUTHEND boy and leading theatre actor Lee Mead is set to take a leading role in a new run of a West End musical featuring Queen songs. 

The 41-year-old rose to fame in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the mid-2000s, has since featured in shows such as Legally Blonde and Wicked.

In his latest leading role, Mead will now play Khashoggi in We Will Rock You, a musical which features 24 of Queen’s greatest hits.

The world-renowned show will feature songs including We Are The Champions, Bohemian Rhapsody, Don’t Stop Me Now and Radio Ga Ga.

The first performance of the show, written by Ben Elton, will début on Friday, June 2, at the London Coliseum.

Joining Lee will be West End legend Brenda Edwards, who has starred in Chicago and Sister Act, with Olivier Award-nominated Ian McIntosh also part of the line-up.

Taking to social media, Lee said he was “so proud” after spotting signs promoting the show. 

He said: “Been a few years, but just got off the London Underground and seen the new poster for our show with my name.

“As you can probably see from my smile in the reflection, it’s still a great feeling 

“Very proud too.”

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Lee Mead (@leemead_official)

 

What is We Will Rock You?

We Will Rock You tells the story of a globalized future without musical instruments.

But a handful of rock rebels, the Bohemians, fight for the rebirth of the age of rock as they try and take down the all-powerful Globalsoft company and its boss, the Killer Queen.

Echo: Lee Mead returned to Southend's Cliff's Pavilion in 2017 to launch the Jack and the Beanstalk pantomimeLee Mead returned to Southend's Cliff's Pavilion in 2017 to launch the Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime (Image: Newsquest)

The musical was first performed in April 2002, before it toured the UK in the late 2000s and enjoyed a 12-year run.

The critical reception for the musical was initially poor, but the production has still proved immensely popular to mainstream audiences.

“I’m a Southend lad” – who is Lee Mead?

Lee was born in Southend and, as a teenager, worked back stage at the Cliffs Pavilion as part of his school’s work experience.

He then went on to train professionally at Whitehall Performing Arts College in Leigh-on-Sea before he made his big break, successfully auditioning for the BBC series Any Dream Will Do.

He would go on to star in the production more than 600 times.

He has since starred in Miss Saigon, The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Legally Blonde and, more recently, Chicago.

Echo: Now 41, Lee Mead has enjoyed roles in a host of of West End musicals, and has also appeared in Casualty and Holby CityNow 41, Lee Mead has enjoyed roles in a host of of West End musicals, and has also appeared in Casualty and Holby City (Image: Newsquest)