Ben Forster Wins ITV & Andrew Lloyd Webber's SUPERSTAR; Will Play Jesus in UK Tour

According to ITV News, Ben Forster will play Jesus in the UK arena tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar after winning ITV's reality competition show "Superstar" tonight, July 25, 2012. Forster received the most public votes during the live finale.

"I can't believe it," Forster said during the finale. "I wasn't expecting this to happen in my lifetime."

Read the original report here.

Competitor Rory Taylor came in second, with Roger Wright falling into third.

Forster gave the first solo performance of the finale, singing "Who Wants To Live Forever" by Queen. Taylor went second and sang Aerosmith's "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing," then Wright performed "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" by Elton John. The three came together for the Jesus Christ Superstar selection, "Gethsemane."

The musical's tour plays London's 02 Arena on Sept. 21 before shipping out across the country to Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Cardiff, Birmingham, Belfast, Dublin, Liverpool, Nottingham and Sheffield. The cast features Tim Minchin as Judas Iscariot, Chris Moyles as King Herod and "Superstar" judge Melanie C as Mary Magdalene.

Originally from Sunderland, Forster, 31, studied at London's Italia Conti Academy, during which he was featured in the BBC’s fly-on-the-wall documentary “The Dream Academy” before making his West End debut in Piccadilly Theatre's La Cava. His other West End credits include All You Need Is Love at the Queen's Theatre, Grease and Thriller Live.

For more information about the show and the tour, visit www.jesuschristsuperstar.com.

Photo courtesy officialbenforster.com.