While Essex's new star Lee Mead wore his amazing technicolor dreamcoat for his starring role as Joseph in the West End, there was another Essex man waiting nervously in the wings.

John Clarke, from Clacton, is resident director of the new- look West End show and has spent the last six weeks preparing Lee for his demanding debut.

John, whose parents Julia and Trevor live in Holland Road, was also making his debut as resident director for the musical at London's Adelphi Theatre.

John has been in numerous hit West End shows as a dancer and dance captain, but this is his first time in the role of resident director.

Trained John finished as dance captain in Evita, and within four days started in his new role. It has been a busy few weeks for John, who also became a father for the first time when his wife, Rebecca, a former dancer, gave birth to a girl three weeks ago.

John, a former pupil at Clacton High School, trained at Clacton's Tiffany Stage Academy before going to the Laine Theatre Arts college in Epsom. His first professional appearance was in the Clacton's Cascade summer Revue.

Since then he has jived his way around the West End, starring in Grease, Saturday Night Fever and We Will Rock You - and been on European tours of Fame and Starlight Express.

In Evita, John was dance captain and swing for 11 parts.

His dad, Trevor, said John has been working very closely with Lee since he got the role from the audience vote on the primetime television show.