West End Star Tobias Turley talks about competing on ITV’s ‘I Have a Dream’ Final, the TV Talent Show in search of the next Sky Ramand in ABBA’s smash hit musical ‘Mamma Mia!’

A recent graduate of Guildford School of Acting, and currently represented by BBA Management, musical theatre performer Tobias Turley has had a very promising start to his career – starring in Heathers the Musical as Kurt at The Other Palace Theatre and Strictly Come Dancing professional, Giovanni Pernice’s This is Me as lead male vocalist. Currently seen on ITV’s search to find the next Sky Ramand – the lead protagonist in ABBA’s smash his musical Mamma Mia! Tobias currently prepares for the final of I Have a Dream, to air on Sunday 9th December! He tells us more about his experience of the overall audition process.

Hi Tobias, you’re currently competing in ITV’s ‘Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream’, a talent competition in search of the next Sophie and Sky to star on the West End next year. You’ve reached the final, congrats! How are you feeling?

It is crazy to be in the final – it has been such an amazing whirlwind experience and I am just so so thankful. The experience of working with everyone on the show is something I will never forget. We’ve got to work with so many industry titans and I have honestly learn so much from everyone – it has been invaluable.

Honestly who doesn’t love Mamma Mia – it such a phenomenon and I cannot believe I have had the opportunity to compete from the role. I am actually represented by BBA Management and they have always given me the confidence and really championed me in my career so far. I think Sky and Sophie are such an amazing duo on stage and I was drawn to it as it really is a huge dream of mine to play him in the West End.

I mean if I was able to play Sky – I really would give it my all. I think he is such a fun character and I think the competition has really allowed me to really interrogate how I would bring him to life with all the challenges. Everyone in the final is hugely talented and I feel so grateful to be considered! It has been such a positive journey.

It was such a feel good, fun entertaining show full of music and song and laughter to be a part of – I think we have had such a unique opportunity to learn from experts! I am so glad I had the opportunity to work and perform alongside such a talented group of people. We really did all get along like a house on fire!

Honestly everyone had so much time for us on the show – I felt incredibly lucky to have direction and advice from everyone. I cannot believe I was able to compete and get guidance from them and I think it shows that you never stop learning in this industry and there is a hugely positive support network that I have felt really grateful to be a part of.

What in general have you taken away from the experience?

The amount of work that goes into the show is beyond incredible. Like all the contestants, the judges, the crew – everyone was amazing and so dedicated! It really challenged me taking on a new challenge each week, but it just made me love musical theatre more and how much I would love to play Sky in the West End. We have been rehearsing all week ready to perform on the Novello Theatre stage and I hope those watching the programme are as excited as I am!

Questions by Lucy Basaba.

I Have a Dream airs on Sunday 10th December at 6:30pm on ITV1. To find out more about the show, visit here…