Put yourself in Daniel Boys' shoes. Your dream is to show off your voice, your moves and your jazz hands on the West End stage. So you audition for a TV talent hunt to find a star for a revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and, after singing your lungs sore, you make the final half-dozen. Hurrah! But then Andrew Lloyd Webber - composer of 13 musicals, Oscar-winning songwriter, peerless theatre impresario - tells you that you're "not exciting" enough to entertain a West End audience. Pretty crushing, eh? Lesser men would crumble, but plucky Daniel is ready to bounce back with a part in a new musical. Hurrah! We caught up with the thwarted hopeful to discuss what went wrong, what he thinks of Andrew's song choices and why he wants to put his hand up a puppet's nether regions in the very near future.
How are you feeling after being eliminated on Saturday?
"I am really disappointed. I wanted to stay in a bit longer and I wanted to win, but deep down I think I've been kind of telling myself that I wasn't going to win. I'm just disappointed I left at such an early stage."
What do you think was your undoing?
"You know what, I really don't know. I think the song choice, perhaps: the public didn't seem to like it. It's difficult because we never got to pick the songs. I kind of knew all week that it was quite a risk, because it's quite a cheesy song and there's nothing much you can do with it. I thought I did my best, but obviously the panel didn't agree and the public didn't agree."
Who chooses the songs for you?
"Andrew picks the songs."
Which must make it difficult to argue with them!
"Haha, it would be a bit difficult! If it's something we really, really feel strongly about, we can say. There was one week where they wanted to make me sing a Scissor Sisters song that didn't suit my voice at all. I went in there and said, 'I don't think it's going to work'. They had me sing it and then they laughed, and agreed. They changed the song. But, as a general rule, we never really get a say."
Which song did you enjoy singing the most?
"I think my favourite song was in the first week, when I sang (James Morrison's) 'You Give Me Something'. I loved singing that. I also loved doing (Rod Stewart's) 'Maggie May' song. When I was given the song I didn't really know it and I was like, 'I don't know if I'll like this', but as the week progressed I grew to like it a lot. I also enjoyed the sing-off song, which was fantastic for me. All along, I'd thought to myself 'I really want to sing a bit of musical theatre', and finally I got to sing some. Obviously it was in that awful situation, but I at least got to show Andrew and the public what I was good at."
Did you find it odd that you were asked to sing pop songs to win a part in a West End musical?
"I did. It is quite frustrating, that. I kind of understand why they're doing it, because obviously the public have to be interested in what we're singing, but I think they think the public are stupid. They think the public won't know musical theatre songs, which I think is wrong. The public obviously have an interest, otherwise seven million people wouldn't watch the show. I can kind of understand - Joseph is a pop musical - but I do think there should have been more musical songs in there. There have been one or two, but I think there should be more, definitely.
Andrew said on Saturday that he thought you weren't exciting enough to entertain a Wesy End audience. Do you agree with that comment?
"No, I thought that was such a harsh comment. I really was very disappointed with Andrew's comments on Saturday. I don't think Andrew has thought like that all along: he's said some lovely things. But he's also said some strange things, and that was quite harsh. It did get to me, that comment, actually. I really don't know where it came from. If he didn't like my performance that's fine, but I thought that was a bit harsh and over the top."
What would your ideal role be in the future?
"There's a few things I'd love to do at the moment - there's a part called Fiyero in Wicked, and also if West Side Story is ever to come back, I'd love to be Tony. That's my favourite musical. I also love Avenue Q."
So we might be seeing you with your hand up a puppet soon?
"Absolutely! You know, I'd love to think that I'm right for something else. It's been very bizarre but I have already been offered a job! But I can't tell you what it is."
Not even a hint?
"I can't tell you, but it's a new musical coming later this year and I've already been offered it. Nothing's definite though. I haven't said a definite yes, but they've shown interest and I am very interested."
Who do you think the frontrunner in the competition is now?
"I've said from Day One that I think Lee will win. I think the final may be between Lewis and Lee."Do you feel you learned a lot on the show?
"I do, I think I learned a lot about myself. It may sound stereotypical, but I'm quite a shy, reserved person and I think I really learned to stand up for myself more. There've been a few times when I've had disagreements being interviewed. I've learned to do that, and I've learned to have the courage to disagree with some of the judges' comments."
Finally, do you have any regrets about appearing on the show?
"Absolutely none. I've loved every second of it, and as an actor I couldn't have asked for a better showcase, really."
Any Dream Will Do continues on Saturday at 8.05pm on BBC One.
I watched the blindfold video loads of times and they cracked me up. I initially thought Lewis was in buckets because he was relieved that he stayed, but its becoming a lot clearer that he was devestated to lose Daniel
