A GLASGOW actor will take to the stage tonight in London's newest musical - and it is all thanks to his school music teacher.

Stephen Ashfield, 28, from Carntyne in the East End, is one of the leads in Jersey Boys, a tale about 1960s band Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

The group sold 175million records and had a string of well-known hits, including Oh What A Night, Big Girls Don't Cry, Bye Bye Baby, Can't Take My Eyes Off You, Sherry, and Working My Way Back to You.

The show opens for previews in the King Edward Theatre in the West End.

Stephen, who studied at Glasgow's RSAMD, said he was "ecstatic" to win the role of band member and songwriter Bob Gaudio in the rags to riches tale.

He has already appeared in London's West End, including playing Boy George in his musical Taboo, which also came to Glasgow.

He also had a part in the Johnny Depp musical movie Sweeney Todd. He was a customer in a gruesome pie shop scene with Helena Bonham-Carter.

But he puts a lot of his success down to the start he got at Smithycroft Secondary, Carntyne, especially from Margaret Milton, head of music.

He said: "When I was at school we had a brilliant music department and really encouraging staff.

"I got extra singing lessons and we used to put on shows twice a year. My teachers encouraged me to audition for RSAMD and that was where I got my degree.

"I spoke to Margaret a couple of months ago and told her about Jersey Boys and she was excited about it. I think some of the teachers are coming to see it."

Margaret, 47, from Newton Mearns, said: "It's fantastic Stephen has done so well. He decided early on he wanted to study music, but I do not think he thought he was going to be on the West End stage!

"We have a very strong music department. We try to give pupils a belief in themselves, confidence and motivation. We work them hard and it pays off!"

Stephen's family, including mum Evelyn, 52, dad Derek, 53, and sister Stacey, 23, now live in Condorrat, near Cumbernauld, and are going to see the show on the official opening night on March 18.

Evelyn said: "We are all very proud of Stephen. He has worked very hard to get to where he is."