CRAIG Chalmers means it when he says 2007 was the best year of his life.

After taking part in the BBC reality show Any Dream Will Do, the former boy bander who hails from Edinburgh, landed a part in Bill Kenwright's touring production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

When he spoke to your Worcester News, he was anticipating an appearance on This Morning and getting ready for the release of his debut album.

"Last year was the best year of my life," he said. "I can't wait to see how 2008 turns out."

Joseph comes to the Malvern Theatres on Monday, January 21, but has been touring the UK since August.

"It does get tiring," said Craig, "but you take things week by week.

"I'm just getting over a throat infection. It meant I missed a few shows in Edinburgh, which is a huge shame because obviously that's where I'm from.

"But I'm back now and we've got the album coming out. I'm going on This Morning on Tuesday and I'll be performing a couple of the tracks at a show at the London Palladium."

The Palladium concert, entitled Dream On, takes place on Sunday, February 17, and features other contestants from Any Dream Will Do.

"We'll see how that goes and go from there," said Craig, who is obviously taking these life-changing events one at a time.

"I just want to keep working and building on what we've got. I want to try lots of different things and hopefully people will want to keep seeing and hearing me."

Joseph runs at Malvern from Monday, January 21, to Saturday, January 26.

Tickets, priced £17.50 to £25.50 and £9.50 for under 16s, call the box office on 01684 892277 or visit www.malvern-theatres.co.uk