John Partridge on why he is loving 'Chicago' and why he went into Celebrity Big Brother...

But now he is out and doing what he does best as he prepares to “Razzle Dazzle” Southampton audiences starring as Billy Flynn in Chicago.

Despite being best known for playing Christian in EastEnders, the multi-talented actor, dancer, singer, panellist and TV presenter has almost 30 years theatrical experience.

Luckily he was able to draw on this after he came out of CBB as he had only four days to rehearse before the Chicago tour started!

John told me: “It was a real baptism of fire but this is what I do and I've been doing for 30 years. Musical theatre is in my blood. This is who I am. This is what I do.”

The show has proved a huge hit with audiences and critics alike – not that John reads what the papers say!

“We've had amazing audiences and amazing reviews I'm pleased to say. I don't read the reviews but people I work with do and they all say OMG it's so good! But as a rule I don't read them because to be fair you can't please everyone. We all have our own opinion but the reaction of the audiences is what counts and they’ve been up on their feet cheering.

“Chicago has not toured in over four years and there's an appetite for it. When you have people keen to do the show - myself aside, when you have a great ensemble – and they are fantastic; they are very, very strong, that’s what makes a difference to a show.

“It's so iconic. It's one of the shows you want to do especially with my dance background. The story is sensational and it is true theatre gold. You are choreographed down to the last finger nail and it requires a real discipline and requires respect for musical theatre history. It's been performed by legendary hoofers and you want to do well.

“I went to the Royal Ballet School so I have an amazing foundation but I’m 44 so I don't dance like I used to! In fact, I dance the least but I do dance and do ‘Razzle Dazzle’: it's all a dream sequence. It's nice for people to see that I can act, sing and dance: I have it all in this show; I'm greedy!"

John left college at the age of 16, to join the cast of the original UK tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats. He has worked with Chicago producer David Ian before when he was in the original production of Grease in the West End.

I asked John if CBB had been what he expected and he tells me point blank that he doesn’t want to discuss it.

“The interview is about Chicago and we will end it now if you ask about it!” he tells me. He does go on to make an interesting observation about the similarities between CBB and Chicago though!

“There's a huge irony with CBB and this show. Chicago was very ahead of its time. It's about having your 15 minutes of fame. I have a beautiful line where I say to Roxie: "You are a phony celebrity. You're a flash in the pan. In a couple of weeks, no one's gonna give a sh*t about you. That's Chicago.”

"That's hugely ironic!” says John.

I dare to ask him if he has drawn on his experience in the CBB house for this part.

“Yes. It's been great to use that experience as there is an extraordinary irony in celebrity status."

John says he understands that everyone has their different reasons for doing CBB. He did it in order to pay nursing fees for his mother who has Alzheimer’s disease. He has been her primary carer and in August 2014 he revealed he had lost four stone since 2012 due to the stress of seeing his mother develop the disease.

“People in different ways are all trying to make a living. Everyone is hustling and trying to achieve. I'm lucky I've had a career before CBB and I have one after. I had to go in as I need to find £ 45,000 a year for my mum. Who can afford that? I'm lucky I can go out and make that kind of money. Most people can't. My mum has terrible Alzheimers and I want her to have the best at this time in her life. I have no shame, embarrassment or qualms about this. She has the very, very best of care and that's why I did it, and that's not to say my reasons were any better that anyone else's . Whatever the reason, it's no one else's business. It's what you have to do to pay your mortgage and bills."

So has he any burning ambitions for future roles?

"They would have to be age apparent. I'm like a fine wine and this is a great role for me right now in my life. I'm a firm believer that this part came to me when I was ready: all the stars were perfectly aligned and I feel really good about everything.

“My schedule is planned a long way in advance because of my mother's condition so I'm booked up until August 2017. Obviously going into CBB was a high profile gig and I've been offered every other reality show but they would have to fit around what I'm doing and I've put no more thought into it other than that.

"I'd like to find a cure for Alzheimers and through my charity work I hope I can raise more funds. Some 800,000 people live with Alzheimers. It is a growing epidemic and it's the cruellest disease. With cancer, diagnosis is better; prognosis is better and the drugs and therapy is better. I wish we could have the same push for Alzheimers. Right now Alzheimers is not a 'sexy ' disease and we don't fundraise. We think it's for old people but our only hope for the future is to find a cure for Alzheimers.”

Now as he heads to Southampton next week, John is enthusiastic about coming back to the Mayflower.

“I can't wait to come back to Southampton. I know the audiences will be absolutely fantastic!”

Tickets for Chicago at The Mayflower are available online: mayflower.org.uk

Box Office: 02380 711811