Young cast of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie amazed as the real Jamie turns up at Rotherham show

Jamie Campbell (right) with Dillon Batey, who played him in the YPPA musical.

THE team behind a sell-out musical reflected on an amazing run after a string of popular performances was topped off with a surprise visit from the breakout star who inspired the original show.

Yorkshire Performance Preparation Academy staged six performances at the Rotherham Civic Theatre of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie: Teen Edition.

And to the delight of company founder/choreographer Danyl James Turvey, director Ashley James and their cast and crew, they were joined on the second night by Jamie Campbell, the real-life teen drag queen whose story is recreated by the stage play.

Young actors Jacob Crofts (below left) and Dillon Batey (below right), who shared the lead role of student-turned-drag queen Jamie New in the YPPA production, both took the chance to have a selfie with the real Jamie.

His wasn’t the only show of support YPPA enjoyed — they also received good luck video messages from the musical’s composer Dan Gillespie Sells, lyricist-writer Tom MacRae and celebrity former cast members Shane Richie and George Sampson.

Ashley said: “The cast received dozens of video messages from original stars of the stage production and on Wednesday of show week, we had a surprise visit from Jamie Campbell.

“We had no advanced warning — we were told a few minutes before the show started Jamie was at the stage door.”

“Jamie met the cast in the interval and continued chatting and having pictures after the show.

“He was delighted with the show and so proud of everyone.

“Shane Richie sent a video message live from backstage at the BBC at Eastenders, which was one of the highlights, while George Sampson sent one for the final show.”

Jonathan Butterell, who directed the hit film of the musical, attended the final performance.

Ashley added: “He told us: ‘Please let both your amazing casts know that they should take their talent and joy into the world — it needs it. They are truly wonderful.’”