BACK TO FUTURE'S

EXCLUSIVE BY SUE CRAWFORD

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It is hard to believe that multi-talented entertainer Brian Conley had to audition three times to land the stage role he could have been born to play.

But then the singer, actor, comedian and TV presenter is no stranger to having to prove himself.

US producers hadn't heard of him, so Brian had to "jump through hoops" to be cast as madcap Doc Brown in West End show Back to the Future: The Musical.

The former EastEnders star says: "There are a lot of things riding on it, it's a huge franchise. It's on in four continents, so they want to make sure that it's well looked after.

"It's a specific role. You have to present it with a certain energy and you have to understand the character and sound right."

After Back to the Future, it is back to panto for busy Brian, 64, and rehearsals for this year's month-long run of Goldilocks in Milton Keynes, Bucks. Brian loves every second of his work but reveals there is a poignant reason for his hectic schedule.

"At school I really struggled and people called me lazy and thick. I wasn't, and I know that's why I'm shouting out to the world - don't underestimate me.

"I was written off at school and that's what drives you. I'm dyslexic and embrace it now. I write phonetically and read a bit slower than anyone else but I've proved myself."

Brian adds: "It might take me a bit longer to learn something but it really goes into my soul. I can quote stuff from shows that I did years ago. So, I suppose in a way in my head I'm going, 'I'm not stupid, look what you've done, Brian."