KATHERINE MACALISTER talks to two of the stars of High School Musical 2 – newcomer Liam Doyle and TV presenter Les Dennis – as they bring the show to Oxford.

Liam Doyle is already breaking hearts all over Britain every time he gets up on stage.

Because having won the Hunt for Troy on GMTV, he landed a part in the stage version of High School Musical 2 and with it launched himself as a teenage pin-up.

So has life changed since the TV audition?

“Well no, I went straight home and back to school to do my A-Levels,” the 18 year-old replies, with that cheeky grin which charmed the judges so much.

And did everyone treat you differently from then on?

“No, because I’ve got a really good group of mates and everything just carried on as normal, which was much more helpful for my exams. But yes, there was a bit more banter,” he smiles. “Oh, and I got an A, B and a C,” he adds.

All that female attention has taken more getting used to though.

“It is weird when you come out on stage and the girls start screaming. People had warned me that would happen but I didn’t believe them,” he grins again.

“And there are usually about 40 girls waiting for me at the stage door after the show to sign their programmes every night, which is nice, but takes some getting used to,” he says.

So a determined young man, who really puts his heart and soul into everything he does, but a great singer and dancer into the bargain.

The obvious winner then. Which is why it’s so hard to believe Liam only got into drama two years ago. So what took him so long?

“Well, I was a professional footballer for Coventry and I shattered my kneecap and had to stop playing, so I decided to see what else I was good at.”

Having signed up for some drama classes at school, he got a part in Joseph and realised his dancing needed a bit of attention.

“Yes, I’ll never forget the look on my dad’s face when I told him I was taking ballet lessons,” Liam laughs.

“It was way out of his comfort zone. But my family have been really supportive about it all. And it took some getting used to for all of us because until then all I’d been interested in was football and sport.”

Anyway, it all paid off, and Liam is now living the dream.

So is the reality harder work than he expected?

“It’s going really well, and being paid for it is great. Yes it may be work, and it may be a routine, but the show has such a high energy that I really enjoy every moment on stage.”

And what about off stage? Does he still get to hang out with his friends?

“Yes, I’m getting the best of both worlds because I can still go to nightclubs after the shows at weekends. I just have to look after my voice and not shout.”

So does everyone decide to clear off the dance floor when he gets on?

“No,” he laughs. “Actually it’s harder to dance in clubs now, because I’m so used to being instructed and have a routine that when I’m freestyling I just bobble around. It’s much harder to do now.

“But I’m just going to enjoy myself and see what happens. and that’s the way I’m going to treat this whole experience, just take it as it comes.

“I’m just delighted to be on stage at all.”

High School Musical 2 Live On Stage runs at the New Theatre from September 21-26. 08448 471588 or newtheatreoxford.org.uk