THE parents of a teenage singing sensation say only one dream will do for their son - landing the lead role of Joseph in BBC1's search for a West End star.

Antony Hansen, who attends St Birinus School in Didcot, beat thousands of hopefuls to the final of the BBC's Saturday night show, Any Dream Will Do.

The 17-year-old, nicknamed Baby Blue after the colour of his coat, is now living in a school of 12 would-be Josephs. Closing their eyes, they are all dreaming of starring in a West End production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Antony's parents, Wendy and Andy, said they were proud their son was flying the flag for young musical talent in Oxfordshire.

Mrs Hansen said: "We haven't been allowed to tell anybody or talk about it until now. But we're so proud.

"We are his big encouragers. If anyone's born to be on stage, it's him."

The young singer performed in five auditions in front of judges - Broadway leading lady Denise Van Outen, Torchwood actor John Barrowman, theatre producer Bill Kenwright and voice coach Zoe Tyler.

In the first round, Antony was personally picked by his hero Andrew Lloyd Webber to make it through.

Mrs Hansen said: "It was so nerve-wracking. His heart would have been broken if he'd gone out. We didn't realise how upset it made him when the judges really hauled him through the mill."

The show follows last year's runaway BBC success - How Do you Solve a Problem Like Maria? - which cast the lead role for a West End production of The Sound of Music.

Antony's parents said their son had wanted to be a musical star since he was a toddler.

Mr Hansen said: "He got through the first round of X-Factor, but he realised that wasn't what he wanted.

"He has always been focused on West End musicals."

At the age of 14, Antony performed the musical's famous number Any Dream Will Do live at the Royal Albert Hall in a centenary concert for children's charity Barnados.

His mother said: "He knows that song inside out, but he's never seen a production of Joseph."

Antony lives near Steventon with his parents and three brothers, Ben, Louis and Nick, in a house with a musical history - the former residence of Engelbert Humperdinck and Tom Jones.

His parents are hoping his musical career will take off.

Mrs Hansen said: "He's not going back to school - he's going to move on. All the Marias are full-time performers now."

The sixth-former is on extended leave from St Birinus School, just months before he is due to sit his AS-Levels in performing arts, theatre studies and music technology.

St Birinus headteacher Chris Bryan said: "We've had to keep it under wraps.

"He has star quality and a good stage presence. I will be hooked on the programme from now on."

Any Dream Will Do is on BBC1 at 8.25pm, when viewers can vote on whether he should stay in the Joseph School.