X FACTOR winner Matt Terry is looking forward to returning to his roots.

“I started off in musical theatre. I trained on a scholarship when I was 18 in musical theatre and I kind of fell into the X Factor,” he explains, referring to his triumph after winning the 13th UK series of the hugely popular ITV talent show in 2016.

Since Matt’s win and his subsequent top three hit ‘When Christmas Comes Around’ penned by Halifax-born songwriter, Ed Sheeran, Matt also released his debut album ‘Trouble’ in November 2017.

Testimony to his success, Matt’s first single from the album, ‘Sucker for You’ has had nearly 60 million streams on Spotify.

Following its release Matt returned to his Spanish childhood when he featured on Enrique Iglesias’s single ‘Subeme La Radio’ alongside Sean Paul.

Now he is looking forward to playing the part of Alex the Lion in the brand-new stage adaptation of Madagascar - The Musical.

Running for one week only at Bradford’s Alhambra theatre from Tuesday (October 23) to Saturday (October 27), the show promises to be an entertaining musical for all the family.

Matt’s character, Alex the Lion, is the king of the urban jungle and the main attraction in New York’s Central Park Zoo.

Accompanied by his best friends Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo, they make their escape from the creature comforts they are accustomed to - the admiration from the zoo visitors and the regular meals provided - to discover what life is like on the other side.

Based on the Dreamworks animated motion and produced by Selladoor Family, whose previous credits include James and the Giant Peach, Seussical and The Owl and The Pussycat and Hartshorn, Madagascar The Musical follows the friends on their journey, and all this wacky adventure entails, to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar.

“It’s such a great part and the best thing about it is I’m the first one to bring him to life and create him,” says Matt, referring to the blank canvas he has been given for his character, Alex the Lion.

The difficult part, explains Matt, is the costumes. Beautiful as they are they can be hot and sweaty as he explains.

“The hardest thing is the costume. The songs are really good and the choreography but it is so intense; it takes a really long time and we are boiling and sweaty so it’s very hard but it has got us very fit!”

The cast also includes Antoine Murray-Straughan, Timmika Ramsay, Jamie Lee-Morgan, Shane McDaid, Laura Johnson, Jessica Niles, Victoria Boden, Matthew Pennington and Darren John.

Following his stint in Madagascar -The Musical Matt is looking forward to returning to the studio.

“I am back in the studio after just to get writing again and make some more music,” says Matt.

Looking to the future, Matt says he’s looking forward to taking on ‘whatever comes my way.’

“I didn’t really expect to do this musical - I love it so much - I would definitely do more acting in the future - release an album and keep on with acting as well,” adds Matt.

Madagascar The Musical comes to the Alhambra Theatre from October 23 to 27. For tickets call the Box Office on 01274 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk.

By Sally Clifford