Gorleston man bags Rodney in Only Fools and Horses Musical

When Tom Major, from Gorleston, took his very first audition, he didn't expect it to turn out so cushty.

The 22-year-old embraced the mantra of 'he who dares wins' and bagged the lead role of Rodney in the upcoming UK and Ireland tour of Only Fools and Horses the Musical.

Gorleston's Tom Major as Rodney Trotter. (Image: Trevor Leighton) Mr Major will be treading the boards as part of a ten-month tour from September.

"It was surreal when I found out," said Mr Major.

"It was the first audition I had, and I didn't know what to expect.

"I feel so incredibly lucky. Not just about getting the part, but also the great support from everywhere I have trained and from my family."

Tom and Julia Major. (Image: Submitted) Mr Major's mother, Julia, said she was bursting with joy when she found out back in March.

"A lot of my friends said I did incredibly well keeping it in for so long," she said.

"But the word is out now and I am simply over the moon. Tom has worked incredibly hard since he was a little boy and to see him get this opportunity shows dreams do come true."

A young Tom Major playing Oliver. (Image: Submitted) Ms Major said she encouraged all her children to get involved with extracurricular activities growing up, with them all trying their hand at amateur dramatics with the Lowestoft Players.

"Tom first became interested when I took him along to his sister's rehearsals," said Ms Major. "Since then, one of my daughters has gone on to direct with the Players and Tom has the security from landing this huge role.

"I am so proud of all my children."

A young Tom Major on the stage of Norwich Theatre Royal - one of the stops for the upcoming Only Fools tour. (Image: Submitted) Mr Major, who has recently finished his degree at ArtsEd in London, said the Lowestoft Players and Gorleston's D16 Performing Arts College gave him the space to explore the arts.

"They were both nothing short of great," he said.

"Being an actor is not a popular career choice for many people where I grew up, and there has always been the concern of being out of work, not making any money and things like that.

"But so much has changed, and there is more access to it. Growing up, I had no formal training. But amateur dramatics and studying in Gorleston really did open doors for me and I could not be more thankful."

Tom Major in Made in Dagenham while at ArtsEd. (Image: ArtsEd) WHAT A PLONKER

Auditioning for the role of Rodney "just felt right," Mr Major said.

"I didn't have a big brother like Del Boy growing up, but my sisters used to drag me into their little games.

"One time, one of my sisters made me dress up in a Playboy bunny outfit and pose for the camera. It was all fun and games on the day. But every birthday, she'll be sure to get the photos out so people can have a chuckle at me.

"She'll never let me live that down."

From left: Tom Major, Sam Lupton and Paul Whitehouse, as Rodney, Del Boy and Grandad. (Image: Trevor Leighton) In preparation for the massive tour, Mr Major said he is revisiting classic episodes of the beloved sitcom.

As well as key moments, including the Trotters dropping the priceless Louis XIV chandelier and Del Boy falling through the bar, Mr Major said his favourite moment was when Rodney, Del Boy and Grandad spent the night in a DIY nuclear fallout shelter on top of Nelson Mandela House.

The Only Fools and Horses Musical tours the UK and Ireland from September. (Image: Neil Reading PR)