WEST End singing sensation Lee Mead – the outright winner of Any Dream Will Do – is appearing at the Alban Arena next Sunday, June 27.

He has not looked back since the BBC1 show, taking on the role of Joseph in the West End to critical acclaim before moving on to the part of Fiyero in Wicked.

Lee, who has just become a father following his marriage to TV presenter and dancer Denise Van Outen, is also pursuing a solo singing career and is on a national tour which brings him to the Arena.

His repertoire will include a range of popular genres including West End numbers, modern pop-rock classics, a few standards, some self-penned songs and favourites from his album Nothing Else Matters.

He will be accompanied on stage by Niamh Perry, who is best known for taking part in BBC One’s I’d Do Anything, the search for Nancy in the West End show Oliver.

She has since been busy building up her theatre credits and can currently be seen in the world premiere of Love Never Dies in the role of Fleck.

Lee Mead appears from 7.30pm and tickets at �26.50 and �24.50 are available from the box office on 01727 844488 or go to www.alban-arena.co.uk

Prior to Lee Mead’s appearance, the Arena has a busy week in prospect with the cast of Strictly Tap Dance Fever taking to the stage at 7.30pm next Wednesday, June 23.

As part of the St Albans Festival, the show will take the audience on a whistle-stop tour of tap dance history, starting from the era of legendary showbiz pair Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and taking in a visit to 42nd Street, Top Hat, White Tie and Tails and A Chorus Line.

Tickets are �21.50 and �19.50 with concessions �2.50 off. Groups of 10 and more are invited to call 01727 897997.

The Arena stage is given over to a completely different tempo the following night, Thursday, June 24, when Gordon Giltrap appears as part of his Shining Morn tour.

Another St Albans Festival event, Gordon has moved from pop in the sixties and seventies through to the iconic BBC Holiday theme Heartsong and many classic compositions.

His music combines rock, blues, folk and classical, played on five different guitars with technology to enhance the show – he performs Dodo’s Dream with live sampling on stage so no two performances are ever the same.

In a career which has spanned four decades, Gordon can boast 25 studio albums and an Ivor Novello nomination. The show starts at 8pm and tickets are �16.50.

One of the world’s most celebrated psychic mediums, Colin Fry, will be delivering messages of love and comfort at his Free Spirit Show at the Arena from 7.30pm next Friday, June 25.

The psychic phenomenon has had a very successful career as the star of numerous TV programmes including 6ixth Sense with Colin Fry, Psychic Private Eyes, The Three Mediums, Most Haunted and Colin Fry Live! Tickets are �19.50.

St Albans Festival events at the Arena conclude with folk band Florida and their Festival Ceilidh at 7.30pm next Saturday, June 26.

Open to all, whether a folk or ceilidh enthusiast or a complete beginner, Florida provide the musical backdrop with traditional English folk songs uniquely fused with elements of swing, jazz, trad folk and folk rock.

The band has become best known for its vibrant interpretations of dance music which has invigorated ceilidhs and barn dances throughout the country and also made them in demand at concerts and folk clubs.

Renowned caller Chris Pitt will direct the dancing and tickets are �10 with under 18s �8.