STEVEN Alexander hasn't quite been granted three wishes in life.

But he's aware he's certainly had two.

The singer is set to star in Aladdin, at the new Websters Theatre in the West End.

But this year, he hit the very big time when he appeared on TV reality show The Voice, bowling over the judges with his performance of Mica's song Grace Kelly.

However, Steven is more than aware that wishes aren't simply granted by the showbiz genies.

They have to be earned.

"I had no idea hard it would be to break into showbiz," says the 28-year-old with a wry smile.

"It wasn't until I went to drama school and got into productions I realised how cut-throat it could all be.

"Others try to pull you down, because they want to do well.And when you go into the auditioning world it really gets tough.

"It's a bit sad, but that's the way of it. The best - or the most determined - man wins."

Steven, whose family are from Glasgow, sang since he was a little boy growing up in Stirling.

"I studied music in Dundee and majored in Singing, and then went to Gamta (Glasgow Academy Musical Theatre Arts)," he offers.

"I wasn't sure I wanted a career in musical theatre at first, and I guess it's because my auntie is a singer, who was on The Voice the year before me.

"Her name is Maxine Jack, and she's always been a great inspiration. She brought me up listening to the big singers such as Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey, and I really was influenced by her."

Steven adds; "I found as I was growing up I loved shows such as Avenue Q, Wicked, and We Will Rock You. I'd take trips to London just to watch shows like that. Theatre always had a great effect on me. I love the live experience."

When Steven left Glasgow's performing arts college Gamta, he landed an agent, appeared in a few pantos and then played Mowgli in the UK tour of The Jungle Book.

"It was everything I dreamed off," he says of the role. "But after that there were some quiet times."

By this time, Steven had now moved to Nottinghamshire, taking a job running a restaurant and some time away from showbiz to concentrate on his relationship. But along came The Voice.

"It was weird ,because I had auditioned for the first couple of years of the show.

"In the first year, I got through the initial stages, in the second I got nowhere and then with my auntie Max being on it the year before I decided to give it one more try."

Steven auditioned with a blinding performance of Your Game by Will Young, seducing Kylie Minogue and Tom Jones into turning their chairs.

In the following battles he performed Leo Sayer's Thunder In My Heart, revealing 'powerful vocal diversity.'

However, he was dropped by Kylie and then stolen by Sir Tom - who prepared him for his third performance.

Steven's dynamic rendition of Mica's Grace Kelly stunned all four judges and triggered a standing ovation.

And although he didn't win out overall, he achieved national recognition.

"I did, and it's been fantastic," he says. "It's really helped my profile. And to be honest, The Voice gave me the confidence and the kick up the backside I needed at the time.

"It brought me back into the original path. And I enjoyed it so much. The show offered a really nice atmosphere, even though it was competitive."

The profile has resulted in Steven being cast as Aladdin.

" I actually played him when I was 19 when I was at Gamta," he recalls, "but this show will have a different take."

He adds, grinning; "I was a lot younger then. I'm pushing 30 now and I've learned quite a bit in between times."

Steven reveals what makes Aladdin such a special role, aside from the fact he gets to sing lots of pop songs, appear in Glasgow's shiny new 200-seater and have his family watch him from the front row?

"Aladdin, for me, is all about dreams," he says, smiling. "He chases the dream, he always has hope. When he gets knockbacks he just keeps on going.

"Okay, he's a little bit naive, but he's cheeky and charming."

He adds with a laugh: "I'd like to think that he's exactly like me."

l Aladdin, Websters Theatre, Great Western Road, December 4-28.