AN actor has returned home to perform in a hit musical this week.

Stephen Uppal, originally from Middlesbrough, is a professional actor and dancer and is appearing in Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at the Billingham Forum.

The 27-year-old, who lives in London, plays one of Joseph's brothers, Asher, and is staying in Middlesbrough with his mother during the stint.

"I've always been interested in arts and literature and I love reading plays but it was when I went to see a friend in a production that I started thinking about doing it myself," said Mr Uppal.

He attended both Cleveland Theatre School and Justine Kavanaugh's Theatre School and afterwards received a full scholarship to both Arts Education and Lane Theatre Arts schools, choosing to go to Arts Education in Chiswick, London.

Mr Uppal has also appeared in a film, Red Mercury, starring Stockard Channing, Juliet Stephenson and Pete Postlethwaite out in April next year.

He said: "I really want to thank Cleveland Theatre Arts school and Justine Kavanaugh Theatre School for getting me started. And my family for all their support. This is a tough business and I'm very lucky. All I can say is watch this space."