A PROMISING theatre star is heading for the bright lights of the West End after securing a coveted role in the hit Broadway musical Rent.

Jamie Sampson, 26, of Bramble Road, Daws Heath, fought off hundreds of talented hopefuls to join the cast when the new show opens at the Duke of York Theatre in October.

He previously appeared in Guys and Dolls with Don Johnson at the Piccadilly Theatre in the spring of this year.

For his latest role, Jamie is hard at work learning his lines to understudy three of the show's leading male parts, Mark, Roger and Benny.

He said: "Rent has always been one of my favourite shows, so when I heard they were holding auditions I was really keen to be seen. I had to sing and complete a monologue and got called back several times. When I found out I'd got the part, I was really happy.

"It's scary performing live."

Based on Puccini's opera La Boheme, the revamped show is being put together by the creative brains behind Kylie Minogue's last tour.

When not treading the boards, Jamie co-runs a weekend drama school called Star Central for youngsters keen to following a career in musicals.

He said: "We do a lot of singing, drama and routines from different shows and invite guest teachers to come down from the West End."

Star Central runs on Saturdays from 9.30am until 11.30am at St Michael's Church Hall, Daws Heath Road. For more information, call 07812 046 948.