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Craig Chalmers (born 3rd May 1981 in Edinburgh, Scotland) is a British musical theatre actor, known for his appearance in the BBC series Any Dream Will Do in 2007 and his success in the lead role in the national tour of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Early career

Craig was born in Edinburgh and lived there with his parents, Liz and Stevie and his brother Gavin. He attended Craigmount High School and was a keen footballer, his promising career cut short by a knee injury when he was 17. His other love was the theatre and he was a regular member of the Gang Shows in Edinburgh. He made an early appearance on TV at the age of13 on ITV’s Terror Towers and also appeared on Pop Idol in 2003. Following that he joined the Band No Reason whose single ‘Man Like Me’ reached No 7 in the UK Charts. Throughout his late teens and early twenties, he performed as a singer and entertainer throughout Scotland and later became a compère and vocalist with G-Force. Craig was well known for his guest appearances at Don Jack’s production ‘Carnevale’ at The Beancross Hotel in Falkirk during the festive season.

Any Dream Will Do

Craig Chalmers was a one of the finalists on the BBC reality talent show Any Dream Will Do which offered the chance to star in Andrew Lloyd Webbers’ new West End production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It was the second West End talent show to be produced by the BBC and Andrew Lloyd Webber and was drawing audiences of over eight million viewers in the final weeks. He was eighth to be eliminated, leaving the show on 26th May 2007.

Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat National Tour

The BBC’s Any Dream Will Do produced two Josephs. Series winner Lee Mead won the starring role in the West End show while 5th placed Craig was cast as Joseph in the UK touring production of the show.

Celebrity judge and leading theatre producer, Bill Kenwright recognised his potential and championed Craig during the BBC show. Craig had very little experience or musical training but Kenwright knew he had the right man for the part; “There’s a real truth to him, and Joseph has to have a vulnerability, which he has. I just love Craig and money can’t buy what he has.”

Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat entered the Guinness Book of Records as the longest running touring stage musical of all time having completed almost 20 years touring regional theatres in the UK and Craig is one of the longest serving Josephs in the history of the show.

His opening night was at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley on 20th August 2007. When his current contract ends on 16th July 2010 he will have toured for 151 weeks (with very little time off) and will have performed in 80 theatres in 78 towns and cities in the UK and Ireland. He will have starred in approximately 1,380 shows and played to more than two million theatregoers as the show set new records for ticket sales at many of these theatres.

Reviews

Craig’s performances earned him glowing press reviews the length and breadth of the country. Initially tagged as a Reality TV Show runner up he quickly made the role his own:

“Craig is just perfect. Great voice, good looks, he pitched it just right. And with a standing ovation after the show, it was a struggle for him to leave the stage.” Emma Turton, Burton Mail 27 June 2008. “I can see where Kenwright was coming from. Golden boy Chalmers has real presence, a touch of star quality that could well give him a musical theatre shelf life long after Joseph has finished its current run.” Andy Smart for This is Nottingham.co.uk, 6 October 2008. “Kenwright’s choice of Craig Chalmers is a touch of pure genius. Chalmers invests the character with such personality, adding those beautiful touches of fun just at the right moment, while never for a second losing the emotion needed to bring the best out of the Lloyd Webber / Rice songbook with his powerful, melodic voice.” Nige Burton, One Nation Magazine 7th August 2009

Dream On

Towards the end of 2007, Craig began work on his debut album and was joined in the studio by fellow Any Dream Will Do contestants: Chris Barton, Antony Hansen, Lewis Bradley and Chris Crosby. The CD was launched on 11thh February 2008 and the album quickly became a best-seller. On the 17th February 2008, the group appeared at The London Palladium supported by a live band and special guests, Connie Fisher, Johndeep More and Seamus Cullen. The group also appeared on ITV’s This Morning and The Paul O’Grady Show.

Television Appearances

Year	Title
1994	Terror Towers on ITV
October 2003	Pop idol
October 2003	Pop Idol Extra
2003	The Weakest Link

31 March 2007-9 June 2007

BBC1

Any Dream Will Do

Reality show searching for a new unknown lead to play Joseph in the West End revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat.

(The series was also broadcast on BBC America from March 2009 and the BBC Lifestyle International Channel from November 2009) Eliminated on the seventh of the nine live TV shows, finishing in fifth place. Took part in two group numbers each week and performed the following: 1. "Try a Little Tenderness" (Bing Crosby) 2. "Home" (Michael Bublé) 3. "Signed Sealed Delivered" (Stevie Wonder) 4. "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" (Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons) 5. "This Is The Moment" (from Jekyll & Hyde) 6. "Black Or White" (Michael Jackson) 7. "Suspicious Minds" (Elvis Presley)

8 May 2007 Channel 4 The Paul O’Grady Show The final seven Josephs opened the show with a performance of Any Dream Will Do and were interviewed by Melanie Sykes 22 May 2007 Channel 4 The F Word With Denise Van Outen and other diners on Gordon Ramsey’s cookery show 28 May 2007 BBC One

15 August 2007 BBC One

BBC Breakfast	Interview about his role as Joseph in the new touring production of the musical.

17 October 2007 Ireland AM Interview with Keith Jack about their roles in Joseph

24 December 2007

BBC One

When Joseph Met Maria	Christmas show featuring six Marias and six  Josephs from the hit series How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? and Any Dream Will Do. 

29 December 2007 BBC One Joseph: The Winners Story Brief interview with Keith Jack as they attended Lee Mead’s opening night performance as Joseph at the Adelphi Theatre in London.

February 2008 ITV 1 This Morning Along with the Dream On boys Craig modelled for the programme’s fashion slot. Dream On performance of

Run to Me. 

15 February 2008 ITV 1 The Alan Titchmarsh Show Interview and Dream On performance of No Matter What

February 2008 ITV Advert for Dream On CD National advert featuring Craig “and friends”

16 November 2008

BBC 1 Songs of Praise Interview and clips from Joseph 5th April 2010 BBC 1 West End Story What Nancy, Joseph and Maria did Next. Interview and clips from Joseph

Discography

30 August 2004 Man Like Me (single) No Reason Boy Band comprising Craig Chalmers, Paul Martine, Tony Elliott, Craig Taverner

February 2008 Dream On (album)

BK Records

producer Bill Kenwright	

“Craig Chalmers with a little help from his friends…..”

2009 I’m Into Something Good (single) Craig Chalmers and Antony Hansen duet

2010 Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat BK Records Producer Bill Kenwright New recording of the Soundtrack of the show with Craig Chalmers in the lead role.

Notable Appearances

1993, 1994, 1995? Edinburgh Gang Show Kings Theatre, Edinburgh

1998? Showstoppers I week in Edinburgh International Festival including 1 night at the Kings Theatre 20 June 2004 Live & Loud Concert Hampden Park, Glasgow Member of boy band No Reason Christmas weeks 2004, 2005, 2006 Carnevale, Beancross Hotel, Falkirk Guest artist, Las Vegas style floor show 17 February 2008 London Palladium Dream On concert 16 November 2008 Glasgow Christmas Lights Performed Any Dream Will Do 15 November 2009 Cambridge Christmas Lights Performed Any Dream Will Do

Hello Magazine article OK Magazine: 6 page fashion spread and interview Daily Record: centre pages fashion spread and interview Daily Mail Weekenders Magazine

Since taking the role of Joseph Craig has also taken part in Celebrity Pop Master on BBC Radio 2’s The Ken Bruce Show and given numerous local TV, radio and newspaper interviews.

November 2003: Ranked Number 23 in The Scotsman’s list of most eligible men.

External links

• example.com