The Voice semi-finalist Alex Buchanan said it brought back memories of dancing with his dad when he performed for thousands in the West End.

Alex’s dad Gary was a soul singer and introduced him to Michael Jackson when he was aged just three.

So it felt like he had come full circle when the 24-year-old sang his hero’s songs after bagging a role in Thriller Live.

He said: “It was funny because when we were rehearsing I saw people reading the lyrics and I was just running around and singing all of the songs. They wondered how I knew the lyrics.

“My dad was a singer so I followed in his footsteps.”

That enthusiasm must have come across in his audition because he was offered the part on the spot.

Alex, whose first lead role was in Grease at the Peace Centre when he was 13, added: “I sang about a verse and chorus of my song and they gave me the job there and then.

“We performed all around the world, before coming back to the UK to tour the arenas before the West End.”

Alex recently returned to Warrington Collegiate to talk to performing arts students about his industry experience.

The former teacher at Spike from 911’s Popskool at the Collegiate between 2006 to 2008.

His first production there was One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and his first performance in the new building was Moulin Rouge.

Alex said: “It’s really strange. Walking into the building is like a massive trip down memory lane.”

Performing arts lecturer, Sindy Richardson, who taught Alex, added: “He was an incredibly talented student and really stood out from the crowd.

“It was obvious he was going to be famous one day.”

Alex impressed judges on The Voice but was knocked out after singing Stevie Wonder’s Signed, Sealed and Delivered in last year’s semi-final.

He told Weekend: “It’s kind of a blur because it passes so quickly.

“It all seems so big and wonderful and looking back at the clips I find myself saying: ‘Did I really do that? Did I really sing that?’ “But being able to have spent some time around those established artists is where I learnt a lot.

“I saw the way they conducted themselves around people. It was brilliant. They were lovely.

“I was really impressed with Jessie J. I love her personality as she has this great way about her.

“When she smiles she can light up a room and she has this amazing presence about her.”

Alex is now working on his debut album at Castle Rock Studios in Alderley Edge.