HE wanted to be an actor when he was a schoolboy – so for Basingstoke plumber Peter Davey, it was a dream come true when he got the chance to appear on the West End stage.

Peter was transformed into a star for the night by Back End Productions, after responding to its article in The Gazette. The company was looking for amateurs to audition for Cinderella – Boom or Bust, and 62-year-old Peter was successful in securing a part in the show.

On December 15, he took to the stage at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in front of a VIP-studded audience, for the one-night charity show to raise money for The Silver Lining Charity, which supports people who are brain damaged.

The father-of-one and grandfather-of-five, who rehearsed for the show every weekend in the lead-up to the big night, said: “On the day, we arrived at the theatre at 9.30am and were allocated our dressing rooms. We had a technical rehearsal and we finished the dress rehearsal at 7.10pm before the show started at 7.30pm. It was a long day but it was worth it. It was magical”

Peter, from Church Square, has performed in Basingstoke hospital pantomimes in the past, but said he was teased at school when he expressed a desire to pursue a career in acting.

Recalling his big night, he said: “If you start thinking about all the people there, you forget your lines, so you go out and just do it. As soon as you start, you don’t know what response you will get but you have to focus. It was a journey. It was unbelievable.”

Peter, who was watched by his proud wife and daughter, said: “They loved it”, adding: “I looked up and took it all in.”

And he has clearly been bitten by the acting bug as he now hopes to pursue further roles.