Dream Jersey Boys role for Sutton-in-Craven man Luke Suri

Luke Suri, 28, a former pupil of South Craven School at Cross Hills, said he knew he wanted to be a performer for "as long as he could remember" but never trained professionally.

Now he has landed his "dream role" playing Frankie Valli in the hit show, Jersey Boys.

"I always knew when I was a kid and at primary school that I wanted to be a pop star," said Luke.

"There was no questioning it. I always knew that I loved singing – I used to watch Hannah Montana and High School Musical. I was adamant that it was what I wanted to do. But I've never had a singing lesson, or a dance lesson – I'm completely untrained compared to the rest of the cast."

Luke is making his 'official' theatre debut – previously, he was working as a performer on cruise ships before Covid hit. He said that this felt like "the next section" of his career.

"When Covid hit everything I'd known was taken away from me so I ended up training to become a vaccinator at Bradford Royal Infirmary for six months, but then I decided to get an agent for the first time," he said.

Luke said it was when he posted a video of himself on Twitter that a producer from Manchester saw it and shared it, and an agent picked him up from there.

"Three weeks after getting an agent I had an audition for Jersey Boys and within weeks I got my first West End tour!" he said.

"This is the dream role that I've always wanted. To play Frankie you have to have an exceptionally strong, full-set voice, and you have to be smaller than 5ft 9ins! So for someone who sounds like a 12-year-old choir boy and is that height it's the perfect role for me!"

He added: "I always knew I'd get where I am, there was no question. I think it has been my drive and determination and knowing where I wanted to be that has helped me."

Jersey Boys is on tour in the UK until September.

Luke says there are a couple of shows in London that he's "got his eye on" for the future, or he'd like to give TV or film work a go.