Hear'Say's Noel Sullivan gains two stone for role instead of wearing fat suit

Former Hear’Say star Noel Sullivan has told how he packed on two stone for his new stage role because he didn’t want to wear a fat suit.

The actor had to bulk up to play music teacher Dewey Finn in School Of Rock The Musical, which is the role played by Hollywood star Jack Black in the 2003 film.

Looking unrecognisable on ITV’s This Morning, Sullivan said he thought wearing a fat suit would have looked “weird”, so decided to tuck into some tasty treats to plump up instead.

“In the script there’s a lot of talk about the teacher being fat,” he said.

“You can’t do it with a fat suit, it would look really weird.

Read more: Kym Marsh on terrifying hospital ordeal

“It’s live and you are right there.

“It’s a very physical show.”

The singer-turned-West End star said he was not going to fret about shedding the weight just yet.

“We will worry about it then,” he said.

“In the meantime, it’s pizza and pasta for me!”

Sullivan, 39, found fame in 2001 when he appeared on reality show Popstars and won a place in the group Hear’Say alongside Kym Marsh, Myleene Klass, Suzanne Shaw and Danny Foster.

The group did not last long, splitting in 2002, and Sullivan turned to acting.

“I went back to Cardiff, I have amazing family and friends,” he said.

Read more: Baby joy for Myleene Klass

“And then I found my way into theatre, which was my first love.

“I think theatre stars work a lot harder.

“I’ve learnt a hell of a lot more about performing during my 15 years in the West End and on tours, and the cast you get to work with are phenomenal talented and are doing it eight shows a week, not just three minutes.”