IT COULD be the best romantic scene that was never filmed.

A beautiful girl, a handsome leading man and the moon gleaming on the beach at Brean.

Lee Mead, star of TV’s Casualty and hit musicals such as Legally Blonde, remembers the encounter with a smile.

“I was dating a girl from Brean, and one evening we went for a walk along the beach,” says the actor who plays Lofty in the hospital drama.

He adds with a smile: “It was very romantic, worthy of a musical number.”

Back then, Lee was still to hit it big time, which he did in 2007, winning Andrew Lloyd Webber’s search for Joseph in Any Dream Will Do.

After 600 performances in that role, Lee went to New York where he studied acting at the prestigious Strasberg Institute before heading back to London’s West End for starring roles in Wicked and Legally Blonde.

His mild-mannered, if slightly accident-prone, character, Lofty, won the hearts of Casualty fans who are getting palpitations at the news he is to leave.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time on the show,” adds Lee.

“I was deeply honoured to know the role of Lofty was written especially for me. We work from 7am to 7pm on the show then I go home and learn my script for the next day.

“It’s tough but I'll always be grateful to have had a part in it.”

Lee is leaving Casualty to star as Caractatus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Before that starts in April, he is enjoying his current tour, Some Enchanted Evening.

He performs beautiful songs such as Some Enchanted Evening from South Pacific and Singing in the Rain by Gene Kelly.

Despite his TV acting success, his first love is musical theatre and singing.

“When I walk on stage and see the audience, it feels really special knowing they’ve paid to come and hear me,” he adds.

“I really love the Some Enchanted Evening tour. I remember being nine or 10 and sitting watching old films like Anchors Away and I remember the first time I saw Singing in the Rain.

“I got really excited and went online for four or five hours just watching all the old films.”

His special guest on the tour will be fellow Casualty star Amanda Henderson, who plays nurse Robyn Miller and who has appeared in Les Miserables and Oliver! on London’s West End.

“I walked into the dressing room at Casualty one day and heard this most beautiful voice.

“I knew Amanda could sing but hearing her just stopped me in my tracks. I’m delighted to have her on the tour with me and she is a big hit with the audience wherever we go.”

Lee is celebrating Mother’s Day 2016 with the album featuring his interpretations of much loved songs from Some Enchanted Evening.

Produced and arranged by Mason Neely, Lee’s musical director, Some Enchanted Evening features some new arrangements for the album but the songs still retain their authenticity.

It’s hard to believe that it has been 10 years since Lee first appeared in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

“I was 26 when Joseph happened, most of the other Josephs were a lot younger than me – 17 or 18,” he adds.

“I had done a few shows as a member of the cast prior to that. It took me a good year-and-a-half after winning to get used to being recognised.

“I’m a really normal guy and I’m really proud of my family but I like to keep that part of my life to myself. At the same time I got what I wanted. I got the career I wanted, singing in front of 10 million people week after week.

“It’s interesting because 99 per cent of the time most people are really nice.”

Somerset County Gazette: New musical - Lee Mead takes on the role of Fiyero in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria from Monday

Lee and former Big Breakfast presenter Denise Van Outen were granted a divorce after six years of marriage.

The good news, ladies, is that he’s still single. And open to meeting new people.

“In my 20s I was always in a relationship. Now I’ve come to realise that you need to be relaxed about finding the right person.

“The best way to be, to find someone you click with, is to be relaxed about it. I’ve been single almost three years and I’ve had a few dates.

“Coming out of a marriage is really hard. It takes time to find yourself and get space and time on your own.

“I’m in no mad rush to find someone. For once I’m happy being on my own.”

And there’s always that girl in Brean.

The Playhouse, Weston. Thursday, March 10.