From Wearside to the West End - Ben's album of musicals

He's one of our most successful theatre stars, playing some of the West End's biggest stages and roles, but Ben Forster says he still loves nothing more than a walk along Roker and Seaburn.

- by Katy Wheeler

The former Thornhill School pupil from Millfield fell in love with theatre watching panto at Sunderland Empire, a craft he went on to study and master, becoming known for powerhouse West End performances in Jesus Christ Superstar, The Phantom of the Opera and Elf The Musical.

We caught up with him as he combines all his favourite tracks in one album, Musical's Greatest Hits, released on November 21 through Westway Music.

Ben's career has taken him all over the world, but he says there's nowhere like home.