IN THE safe, happy Ga Ga world, the kids watch the same movies, wear the same fashions and think the same thoughts. Musical instruments are banned, tunes are written by computers and chart hits are scheduled years in advance.

This is what happens when you cross the political humour and wild imagination of writer Ben Elton with the greatest hits of Queen.

Ironically given its dig at manufactured bands, leading the cast of We Will Rock You’s UK tour is Noel Sullivan – who was “discovered” during TV talent show Popstars back in 2001.

“It’s hilarious,” he agrees good-naturedly.

“When I saw the show eight years ago there were a couple of digs that really made me cringe but now I’m part of the show and it makes me happy that I’ve worked my way out of it.”

As a member of Hear’Say – alongside Kym Marsh and Myleene Klass – Sullivan’s star shone brightly for around 18 months before it fizzled out and fell to earth with a crash.

“Immediately afterwards I had a hell of a time readjusting but I look back on that time with really fond memories,” he says in his gentle Cardiff accent.

“You couldn’t have sustained the level Hear’Say got to because it was the first of its kind. The press, TV and radio all worked together to built it up – but you can’t keep it up there, it only had one way to go.”

His pop career did little to prepare him for musical theatre, he says, and it took several years to build his reputation.