Karimloo said “Thank you folks for those who supported me to be chosen as West End’s favourite leading man. Was a honour to hear about that. I’ll just reiterate that the point of that was to remind us all that the West End is full of established actors and actress’ who can lead a company.
“Making a flippant comment on a TV show for a sound bite won’t take away the work people have put in and continue to put in for their roles and shows, it was a foolish thing to say. I am part of a great community and proud and grateful to be so. Thank you.”
Riding high on his recent victory, the Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies and Les Miserables star has also been announced as a new member of touring concert show The West End Men.
He succeeds Matt Rawle, who joins the cast of the upcoming West End production of Cabaret.
He will join Lee Mead (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Wicked, Legally Blonde) – a respectable 4th in our poll – and Stephen Rahman-Hughes (West Side Story, Bombay Dreams), in three upcoming tour dates at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (14 November), The Sage at Gateshead (20 November) and Leicester’s De Montfort Hall (23 November).
The show, directed by Mitch Sebastian, features a selection of hit showtunes, backed by live musicians and a full choir, and has featured a selection of West End luminaries in its history.
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