INTERVIEW: Former EastEnder Matt Lapinskas brings out his inner Elvis

Former EastEnders actor Matt Lapinskas is looking forward to trying something a bit different as he steps into the rock’n’roll shoes of Pharaoh.

The ITV Dancing on Ice runner up is perhaps best known for playing Anthony Moon in Eastenders.

Following performing in the panto Cinderella in Bromley last Christmas, Matt has bought and done up a house in Ascot and also spent time catching up with friends and family.

Like Danielle Hope, who is playing the narrator, Matt also did the play when he was at school, where he played Benjamin, Joseph’s younger brother.

Matt spoke about how his role compares to those he has played in the past.

“It's different to all my other characters, very different to my other characters and stuff I've done before so I'm looking forward to it,” he said.

"Yeah I think everyone will be surprised to see me in a role like this, but I think it's something I wanted to do and challenge myself to do.

“As an actor you want different challenges and it is something I haven't really got on my CV yet.”

The 25-year-old, who also used to be a street dancer when he was younger, said he loved the Elvis-style costume Pharaoh wears.

“It's good dressing up isn't it? Feels like I'm going to a fancy dress party!” he joked.

"I'm really looking forward to singing my first song where Joseph comes to Pharaoh and Pharoah's been having these dreams.

“He doesn't know what they are and he has found out that there's this guy out there who can tell him what his dreams are.”

Matt said the tour is will be ‘very different’ from the show he did at school, where he remembers painting cardboard boxes to make the scenery.

"We did loads of productions at school, Joseph, Bugsy Malone, Oliver where I played Bill Sykes, so I've loved all this stuff. It's just great to actually do it for real now,” he said, adding that Mamma Mia and Wicked are others that he enjoys.

"My favourite musical at the moment is probably The Book of Mormon, I went and saw that the other day - it was amazing.”

When he’s not working, the Manchester United fan said he likes to keep active and also plays guitar and writes songs.

The former Staines resident spoke about what audiences can expect from the show.

“It's got so much energy - kids are going to love it and parents are going to love it,” he said,

"It's a bit like a pantomime but different, it's got that really kind of musical aspect to it, so it should be good!”

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is at the Theatre Royal, Windsor, from Wednesday, July 23 – Saturday, August 2.