TALENTED Chris Stanton will soon be moving from pulling pints to pulling in the crowds when he appears on the West End stage.

He is to work alongside ex-EastEnders actor Michael French after being selected to stand in for the role of sleazy lawyer Billy Flynn in the smash-hit musical Chicago at London's Adelphi Theatre.

Chris, 23, who is currently helping out in his parents' Weymouth pub for Christmas, is thrilled to have landed the part.

The former Budmouth Technology College and Weymouth College student who learnt his trade dancing with June Hornby and performing with theatre group WOW before three years of study at Laine Theatre Arts in Surrey, is now destined for the big time.

He has spent the past year appearing in Rod Stewart and Ben Elton's show Tonight's The Night in the West End and touring Scandinavia with a production of Grease.

Chris said: "When I was told I would be understudying for Billy Flynn I couldn't believe it. It still hasn't sunk in.

"I understand Michael French has the part of Billy Flynn so it will be exciting to work with him."

As well as understudying, Chris will join the ensemble.

He has three weeks of rehearsals before joining the show on January 31 - the same day as Jill Halfpenny takes to the stage. The EastEnders actress, who won the final of Strictly Come Dancing, is to take over as the murderous starlet Roxie Hart from Hell's Kitchen winner Jennifer Ellison.

Chris, who now lives in Kent, is the son of Neil and Valerie Stanton, who run the Marquis of Granby on Chickerell Road, Weymouth.

He said: "The role is a step up and puts me in good stead for future jobs.

"I'm absolutely loving what I'm doing. The prospect of unemployment is always hanging over you in this industry but as I get more parts and meet new people new opportunities arise.

"I just have to keep working for as long as I can and if I get a step-up then it's a bonus"

Dozens of youngsters from WOW Youth Musical Theatre have pursued careers on stage and screen.

The group's musical director Janet Stockley said: "Chris is completely hungry for it. We're absolutely delighted for him."