Gareth Gates puts on his dancing shoes for Footloose The Musical

The singer, who rose to fame after appearing on Pop Idol, stars as Willard in the show which takes centre stage in the main house at Salisbury Playhouse from Tuesday.

“It is based upon the original film version of the 1984 film - the year I was born,” says Gates. “It is quite true to the film and features all the hits from that time and from the film itself, songs like Let’s Hear it for the Boy, Holding out for a Hero and the title track Footloose.

The musical also features Maureen Nolan.

“It is a great show with some really special moments in there and at the end of the show we do a mega mix of all the songs in the show. Everyone is on their feet and having a good time so it is a feel good show.”

Gates is no stranger to the theatre stage and has a number of credits under his belt including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Les Miserables in the West End.

He says he relished the opportunity to take on the comedy role in this production. Describing what attracted to him to the role, he says: “It was the offer to play a part I have never played before, I play the comedy role in it and I have always played the romantic or lead or that type of role so the offer to get all the laughs every night was really rather appealing.

“I play the cowboy that can’t dance. He is quite shy actually and finds it hard to talk to the girls and is hopeless at dancing. Then a boy comes to town called Ren and he shakes all that up and teaches me how to dance. And at the end I have to do a big dance solo.”

“I love being a part of this cast, one of the great things about the show is it is what you call an “actor-muso” show which means everybody on stage is acting, singing, dancing as well as playing the instruments too.There is no separate band off stage or anything like that.

“I have a new found respect for these guys because they are super, super talented.”

But, he admits it has been difficult combining all these disciplines and says having to sing, dance, act and play music “keeps everyone on their toes”.

“I thrive on pressure and it’s great, it keeps you very alert and sort of on age at all times. The audience are able to see that everyone is really having to step up every time on stage.”

To prepare for the role, he admits he did have to hit the gym. “There is a part of the show whereI get stripped down to a pair of hot pants so the preparation is that I’ve obviously been down the gym lots. And I’m playing the comedy role so that’s been testing my acting ability and I love that challenge.”

“I’ve carved out a bit of a career in theatre now,” he says. “I love it. It is great being a recording artist and doing lots of my own gigs around the country but it is great to have a live audience every night and have the thrill and pressure of that, which is nice.”

But for music fans, Gates says he has not left behind his passion for music. “I constantly write and the plan is to hopefully record an album next year. That is on the cards.”

Footloose The Musical’s stint in the city marks a return to the area for the the singer, who recalled his first performing experience at Salisbury Cathedral.

“I was head choir boy when I was very young, I was about 11 or 12, and we did a tour. We spent a lot of time around the New Forest and performed at Salisbury Cathedral. As head boy I had to do various solos there. I always remember as a kid it being a stunning place and the cathedral itself it beautiful so I’m really looking forward to spending a good amount of time down in Salisbury.”

The cast have performed more than 200 shows and Gates says he is looking forward to bringing the show, which is coming to the end of its run, to the Playhouse.

“It will be quite sad when it ends however, it has definitely runs its course,” he says.

As for future projects he says he is considering his options and has had a few offers. He is set to do panto later this year.

In addition to performing Gates has ventured into the world of business launching his own coconut tea, Cuppanut.

“I’m not sure what I want do. I’m very busy, I’ve got fingers in a lot of pies - I enjoy being a businessman at the minute. I’ve launched a range of coconut tea, which is really doing well. We are in all the Holland and Barrett stores. And that is expanding rapidly and so I spend all of my spare time on my laptop and phone, and on a evening I perform the show.

“I’m contemplating taking a couple of months off just to focus on that business and the like. I’ve also got offers to do different theatre shows as well “ The tea is being sold in more than 700 stores, and explaining how it came about, he says: “I’m always thinking about new ideas. I’ve got quite a few businesses.

“I was at home and had been living a very healthy lifestyle for the past two years and I noticed a big fad about coconut water and coconut oil, everyone was going 'coconuts' as it were, and I recognised and noticed a space in the market that there wasn’t a hot coconut beverage.

“I sat at home spoon feeding coconut into empty tea bags and trying out out, and thought this tastes ok so we developed the idea with some top food developers.”

For tickets call the Playhouse box office on 01722 320 333 or go to salisburyplayhouse.com.