A FORMER Exeter College student’s dream of becoming a West End star is one step closer – now he has been signed up for a six-month tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Alistair Brammer, 19, was last year a Joseph wannabe vying for the lead role in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, through BBC television programme Any Dream Will Do.

While his hopes were dashed when he narrowly missed out on winning the lead role in an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, his perseverance has paid off. He has been picked by Any Dream Will Do judge Bill Kenwright to appear in the Joseph UK tour.

Alistair’s proud mum, Eileen, 59, said her former Exmouth Community College student son was contacted by Mr Kenwright and asked if he would like to travel to London to audition for the show.

Shortly after learning he was to be playing the part of Zebulon – one of Joseph’s brothers – and understudying Benjamin and also Joseph – Alistair was whisked up to Edinburgh for the first leg of the tour.

“It all happened so quickly,” said Mrs Brammer. I can’t believe he’s gone. The house is so quiet, because he sings all the time. He’s absolutely loving it. It’s hectic – two shows Monday to Friday, three shows on Saturday and on Sunday they travel to the next town. He said he can’t believe he’s getting paid for doing something he loves. He’s been told he needs to sign up with an agent.

While taking part in Any Dream Will Do, Alistair, who studied drama and theatre arts at Exeter College, auditioned with thousands of other hopefuls and made it down to the final 20 boys.

During that time he performed at Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s castle in Ireland and at the theatre. Despite his best efforts, Alistair did not make it through to the final 12.