GET ready to be swept off your feet – An Officer and a Gentleman: The Musical comes to Mayflower Theatre on Tuesday.

This brand-new musical is based on the 1982 Oscar-winning film, and one of the highest grossing films of all time, starring Richard Gere which tells the story of Zack Mayo, who is in training to become a US Navy Pilot.

When Zack rolls into boot camp with a bit too much of a swagger, drill Sergeant Foley doesn’t make life easy for him.

When he falls for local girl Paula Pokrifki and tragedy befalls his friend and fellow candidate, Zack realises the importance of love and friendship and finds the courage to be himself and win the heart of the woman he loves.

It’s only then he can truly become both an officer and a gentleman.

The Daily Echo caught up with Jonny Fines, who plays Zack, as he tells us how it feels to follow in Richard Gere’s footsteps.

“It’s an incredibly well-known film, and Richard Gere is a hard act to follow,” he explains.

“And in the modern day, Zack is not a very well liked character – back in the ‘80s his attitude was way more acceptable than it is now.

“But there’s much more to him than what is seen on the surface.”

The musical includes the hit song from the movie Up Where We Belong along, with 1980’s classics such as Alone, Don’t Cry Out Loud, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Toy Soldiers and Material Girl, and features one of the most iconic romantic scenes ever portrayed on screen.

“The show is very much a feel good show,” adds Jonny. “It’s full of eighties' songs and is a joy to sing every night

“My two favourites are Family Man and Toy Soldiers, which just works so well and listening to Ian McIntosh sing it at times is just heartbreaking.”

Jonny, 30, was just a twinkle in his parents’ eye when the film first aired, so what did he think when he finally watched it?

“It was really interesting to see,” he says.

“For some reason I thought it was going to be quite cheesy, but actually it was quite dark in places, which surprised me.

“I love my role as Zack. It feels quite emotional and very dark at times, which can be draining, but it is always worth it when you see the audience’s smiling faces at the end of the show!”