hɪz fˈɜːst stˈeɪdʒ ɹˈoʊl wʌz ɪn ɐ stˈoʊk ˈæmətʃɚɹ ˌɑːpɚɹˈæɾɪk səsˈaɪəɾi pɹədˈʌkʃən ʌv hˈænz kɹˈɪstʃən ˈændɜːsən, plˈeɪɪŋ ˈɑːpəzˌɪt hɪz fɹˈɛnd ɹˈɑːbi wˈɪljəmz.
His first stage role was in a Stoke Amateur Operatic Society production of Hans Christian Andersen, playing opposite his friend Robbie Williams.