TWELVE-YEAR-OLD Steven Fitton had been expecting to play the title role in Ilkley Amateur Operatic Society's forthcoming production of Oliver.

Instead, the Ilkley lad will be touring the country alongside Phillip Schofield in a production of the children's classic, Dr Doolittle.

Steven, a pupil at Bradford Grammar School, is now busy rehearsing in London for the tour, which starts next month.

It means that Ilkley AOS was left with the task of finding a replacement 'Oliver'.

A spokesman for the society said: "Steven Fitton was the perfect Oliver. He'd played the role in Manchester, first with Russ Abbott and later with Gary Wilmot.

"When he auditioned for the society, there was no question that he would be ideal and he was cast in the title role.

"Unfortunately for Ilkley, the professionals had an eye on his talent and he was recently asked to audition for a role in Dr Doolittle, to tour with Phillip Schofield - and he was offered the part," he said.

Mum Lesley said: "Steven is really enjoying himself and says that Phillip Schofield is nice and really funny."

The Operatic Society has compensated for Steven's loss by 'promoting' two of Fagin's gang members to the lead role. The part of Oliver will be shared by 11-year-olds Danny Horn and Oliver Shaw.

They will each have three performances each in the role of Oliver. When not on stage as the main character, they will be in Fagin's gang watching each other's performances.

Although Steven will not be present in this production, it will still have a strong Fitton flavour.

His elder brother, Alex, and his sister, Clare, play Noah Catchpole and Charlotte, respectively.

Clare has had professional experience as Bet in the Gary Wilmot production of Oliver, which ran at Bradford's Alhambra Theatre last year.

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