FLASHDANCE – The Musical opens at Aberystwyth Arts Centre this week, and singer Ben Adams can’t wait.

Ben, who joins Strictly Come Dancing star Joanne Clifton as Nick Hurley, has been singing and performing since the age of eight.

His career started as head chorister at St Margaret’s, Westminster Abbey, singing at royal weddings, touring all over Europe, recording two classical albums and frequently singing for the likes of the Queen and the Pope.

At 16, he became the lead singer of the band a1, who racked up 10 million record sales, two UK number ones, five studio albums and toured throughout the world, winning a Brit award among many others.

When the band split, Ben took to the studio and is now a successful songwriter and producer, working with the likes of Robin Thicke, Craig David and Alexandra Burke to name but a few.

Ben has also written a brand-new musical called EUGENIUS! which after a sold-out London Palladium performance, is set to hit the West End stage next year, but has never appeared in a musical, until now.

“I’ve always wanted to do musical theatre but I’ve never had the time,” he told the Cambrian News.

“I’ve had to put the writing and the producing on hold but that’s been a good move because I’m really enjoying Flashdance so far.”

Ben and Joanne opened the tour of the show in Glasgow and perform at Aberystwyth Arts Centre from Wednesday, 16 August till Saturday, 2 September.

“I’m hoping to see a lot of Aberystwyth in the next couple of weeks because we haven’t been able to see a lot of Glasgow with all the rehearsals we’ve been doing.

“It’s a technically difficult show and it’s a real spectacle. It’s got a bit of everything. Lots of hits from the '80s like Maniac, Manhunt, Gloria, I Love Rock & Roll and Flashdance - What a Feeling, and the dancing is incredible.”

He went on: “It’s amazing to be part of such an iconic story, and as an 80’s child I was brought up on this music so I couldn’t be happier playing Nick in the theatre production of Flashdance.”

Additional cast includes: Colin Kiyani, Rikki Chamberlain, Garry Lee Netley, Carol Ball, Sia Dauda, Hillie Ann Lowe, Simeon Beckett, Rhodri Watkins, Demmileigh Foster, Emily Kenwright, Ameila Rose Fielding, Alex Christian, Matt Concannon.