Antony, who found fame with boy band Blue, is currently touring with a new theatre production ‘The Extra Factor’ which runs at the Millennium Forum from September 29 - October 1.

And when it comes to reality TV shows - he’s no stranger.

In 2005 he took part in “I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here.’ in which Carol Thatcher was eventually crowned Queen of the Jungle.

And although he believes reality shows have their place, he tries not to watch them.

“I just get wound up watching things like the X factor,” he admitted. “Watching those people who can’t sing but think they can. But I know the shows have their place, and if I hadn’t joined Blue I may have even auditioned for the ‘X Factor’ myself.”

Since the break up of Blue three years ago Antony’s struggled to shake off his boy band image and is determined to be known for himself now - rather than Antony from Blue.

“I suppose that’s why I went into the jungle, I wanted to known as an individual.”

Antony stars in “The Extra Factor” alongside Kevin Kennedy, who shot to stardom as Curly Watts in Coronation Street, Anthony Kavanagh (Pop-Star, Grease Is The Word), Kelle Bryan (Eternal), Jennifer Biddall (Hollyoaks) and Suzanne Carley (Blood Brothers & Grease). Meantime, Russ Spencer ( pop group Scooch & West End’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) is the self-styled pop manager who hosts the competition on stage.

“Basically the show features six of us in the finals of a reality show,” said Antony.

“We perform on stage and then it flashes back to the house where we are all living. That way you get to see everyone’s story.

“Sometimes people are surprised that Kevin Kennedy (Curly) is in the show, but he’s a great singer. Sometimes people think because you are an actor you can’t do anything else.

“The real twist is the fact that the audience can text vote for the winner during the interval. So the people who come to the show decides who wins.”

As well as the poignant and hilarious comedy writing, the show will feature some of the biggest hits from the last three decades, including Robbie William’s “Angels”, George Michael’s “Freedom”, Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive”, Europe’s “The Final Countdown” and many more.

Cal

Antony plays Cal, a pretty-faced, angelic, naive and unworldly young lad. He is an only child in a single parent family and his mother has doted on him, cosseted him. Realising his potential as a singer, she has pushed him towards this brink of success. He is a lovely lad, a bit out of his depth with most of the other finalists but they all like him because there is no side to him, he is a genuinely nice guy.

To book tickets contact the Forum on 02871264455 or www.millenniumforum.co.uk