A BOLTON-born actor is taking up a royal appointment in one of the biggest musicals to hit the West End.

Disney's Aladdin has been playing to sell out audiences since opening in the Prince Edward Theatre on June 15.

Among the cast of the first UK production is Bolton's very own Irvine Iqbal, who has been taking to the stage as the Sultan.

The 38-year-old, who grew up in Lostock, has enjoyed a 16-year career in London's West End with roles in Bend it Like Beckham, The Far Pavilions and Bombay Dreams.

The former Bolton School boy is now part of one of the West End's biggest productions and the first UK cast to bring the adaption of the 1992 animated Disney film to home audiences.

He said: "It is one of the most prestigious shows to be in and it is probably the most exciting thing I have done so far.

"We opened as the newest Disney show in the West End to a full house nearly every day, people can't get tickets it's so popular!

"I have my own song, the Sultan's reprise and there are five big numbers in the show; Friend Like Me is a big Broadway routine and every night we receive a standing ovation for it.

"I never imagined as a local lad from Bolton going down to London and working in the West End, it is very surreal to me."

Mr Iqbal, who decided to become an actor at the age of eight after performing in musicals at Rossall School in Fleetwood, is appearing alongside British actor Dean John-Wilson as Aladdin, former Sugababes singer Jade Ewen, as Princess Jasmine, and Trevor Dion Nicholas, who making his London stage debut, as Genie.

"They brought the Genie over from Broadway so it's really interesting to work with a Broadway team," he added.

"Jade is amazing, she is unbelievable as Princess Jasmine. It's a great cast and great company, it includes very talented people from all over the world. It must be one of most diverse casts in the West End."

It took 315 hours , 68 tonnes of scenery and 337 custom-designed, hand-made costumes created from more than 1,225 varieties of fabric, adorned with millions of Swarovski crystals, to stage the new musical.

With the West End run already extended to February 2017, while its Broadway counterpart is in its third record-breaking year where it has been seen by more than 1.5 million people, Aladdin is set to follow in the footsteps of Disney Theatrical Productions' last global stage hit, The Lion King.

To find out more and to book tickets visit aladdinthemusical.co.uk.