A FORMER Bournemouth theatre student will take to the stage next month in a lavish production of Grease.

Anthony Hughes, who trained with Swish of the Curtain Theatre School, is part of a year-long tour of the ever-popular musical which will hit Southampton's Mayflower Theatre on June 27.

Anthony is part of the ensemble but is also first understudy for two of the main roles.

He will appear alongside The Wanted's Tom Parker, who plays Danny, and Over the Rainbow winner Danielle Hope as Sandy.

Louisa Lytton from Eastenders is also part of the main cast playing Rizzo and Jimmy Osmond plays Teen Angel.

Anthony is a former pupil of Corpus Christi Primary School in Boscombe and St Peter's School in Southbourne.

After leaving school he gained a place at a top theatre school but was unable to take it up because there was no funding available to him.

He then gained a degree in Musical Theatre at the London School of Music before embarking on an Italian tour in Fame.

A spell travelling the world performing on cruise ships followed before Anthony returned to the UK and auditioned for Grease.

He told the Daily Echo: "When I returned to the UK I moved to London and went to every audition going. There were about six or seven rounds for Grease before I got the part and I was absolutely thrilled."

Anthony, who also had a spell of teaching at Swish of the curtain in Bournemouth, said he hopes to see many familiar faces in the audience at Southampton.

"I hope a lot of family, friends and former students will come to the show" he said. "It's great to be performing locally and to be part of such a big tour."

Grease will be at the Mayflower from June 27 until July 8.