IT’S set to be a dream come true for one former Romsey schoolboy who returns to his Hampshire roots next week in the celebrated musical Blood Brothers.

Actor Joe Sleight, 26, has always dreamed of appearing on the Mayflower stage, ever since his first visit to the theatre as a wide-eyed Halterworth schoolboy 16 years ago.

Now he’s due to make it a reality as he appears in Blood Brothers as Perkins and understudy of twin Eddie, in a cast which also includes Wet Wet Wet star Marti Pellow and Maureen Nolan, of The Nolan Sisters fame.

“The first show I ever saw there was Doctor Dolittle when I was ten years old,” Joe laughs.

“Ever since then it’s been an absolute dream to play the Mayflower.

“When I saw the tour schedule with Southampton towards the end of my year in the show, I couldn’t believe my luck.

“Everywhere we go, everyone seems to love Blood Brothers.

Marti, Maureen and the whole cast have been so nice and it’s been brilliant for me to be working with this kind of of calibre of people. It still doesn’t seem real to me. It’s crazy.”

Joe learnt his trade during school productions including Oliver at The Mountbatten School and was a member of RAODS, appearing as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet at The Plaza and in three pantomimes.

After completing a BTEC in Performing Arts at Brockenhurst College, he set up his own theatre company and toured the south for four years with children’s musicals like The Nuzzles before gaining a place at the Guildford School of Acting to complete his degree in Musical Theatre.

A role in political musical Chess and pantomime Cinderella last Christmas were followed by the Blood Brothers break.

Joe will also be appearing at the Wycombe Swan this Christmas alongside Craig Revel Horwood in Peter Pan.

Limited tickets are available for Blood Brothers, which runs from Tuesday to Saturday. Tickets: 023 8071 1811 or visit mayflower.org.uk