Mamma Mia star's praise for county's performing arts

Tobias Turley has been performing as Sky in Mamma Mia

The winner of a TV talent show looking for the next stars of Mamma Mia has said he could not have done it without the support of the arts scene in his home county.

Tobias Turley, from Street in Somerset, won Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream before Christmas and now performs as Sky in the West End production.

He said the role of performing arts organisations in Somerset was "very important", adding he may not have decided to go professional without the support he had while growing up.

Mr Turley also admitted that he almost did not apply for the show, as he never expected to get anywhere with it.

Tobias Turley won the ITV show alongside Stevie Doc

Speaking to BBC Radio Somerset, Mr Turley said there are "so many great companies" in the county.

"I had the privilege to perform with a few of them," he said.

"They were really great and I got through a range of shows and I think that's where it all started.

"I may not have decided to do this professionally until probably about 16 or 17 but it was always something I loved and that wouldn't have been the case if there wasn't such a great performing arts scene [in Somerset]."

Mr Turley now performs eight shows a week at London's Novello Theatre in the role of Sky - a character portrayed by actor Dominic Cooper in the feature film also staring Meryl Streep.

He said his first show was "an absolute blur", but since opening night he has been having "so much fun" on stage.

"It really is a joyous show - every second of it," he said.

"And everyone has been so welcoming and lovely to us... I feel very lucky to be there."

Tobias Turley (centre) said opening night was a 'blur'

But Mr Turley said he nearly never made it to the show, explaining he hesitated when it came to applying.

"There were so many occasions where I hesitated applying or going to my next audition," he said.

"I always thought 'so many people go to open calls and these big auditions so why would it ever be me?'

"So it was a very weird feeling to even get on the show and then get a few rounds into the process, but to win, it is just a little bit crazy."

Since joining the cast he said it has been a "whirlwind", but revealed his highlight was being followed on Instagram by The Chase's Mark Labbett - adding he used to love spending time with his grandma in Somerset watching quiz shows.