Romance blossomed on the set of a Michael Jackson theatre show when the leading man fell for the choreographer.

Craig Harrison, who takes the role of MJ in Jackson Live In Concert, and Lucy Smith, who choreographs the glittering production, are both huge Michael Jackson fans.

They met when Craig was looking for a trained dancer to undertake the coaching of his dancers to emulate the authentic moves of an MJ show.

“Lucy was working in London, she was smart and a massive MJ fan like me, so it just blossomed,’’ said Craig.

The Jackson Live show has been running for two years and is a collaboration with Craig and Sweeney Entertainments.

“I had been a professional Michael Jackson tribute artist for seven years and then I decided to produce my own band, show and dancers. We were spotted by the touring company (Sweeney Entertainments) who wanted to tour us. I always believed in authenticity and quality and that’s what we have,’’ said Craig.

The singer said that the first time he saw Michael Jackson on television he was just four years old. His dad was watching MJ perform the Moon Walk.

“I went to dance and to move along with the TV, and over the years I matured and danced better. At eight years of age I did it for a wedding and it became a family tradition,’’ said Craig, who will be bringing Jackson Live to Swindon as part of his UK tour.

The singer has been asked to perform his MJ tribute all over the world including Gulliver’s World with Kerry Katona.

“I did a certain amount of PR work for people I had met in Egypt who dealt with celebs. They asked me to do the gig at Gulliver’s World. The first one was with someone from Only Way Is Essex and the second was for a good cause with Kerry Katona,’’ he said.

The singer has also performed in Moscow and Bucharest which he says was great and went down a storm in a big nightclub in Moscow. Craig said that they don’t get many tribute bands performing over there.

“I also played the Golden Palace theatre tribute gala in Moscow with Lady GaGa, Tom Jones and Robbie Williams tributes. I bumped into them at the airport and they were obvious as they looked like the stars, but I don’t, so I had to walk up and say I am MJ tribute,’’ said Craig.

He says that his family gave him 100 per cent support in becoming a singer and although he plays guitar it his voice that is his main instrument.

“Even my brother-in-law helped. He worked on a building site but would come at the weekends. Then I finally got the chance to go professional and I am now living the dream,’’ he said.

Craig will never forget the day that MJ died. “I was in Cyprus on holiday when I heard the news. I had tickets to his upcoming O2 shows. I had seen him at Wembley in 1996. I didn’t believe it at first - so sad, so shocked.’’

The singer will be strutting his stuff in the Jackson Live concert to Smooth Criminal, Billie Jean, Blame It On the Boogie and many more classics when he comes to Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre on January 19 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £29 from 01793 524481 or visit www.swindontheatres.co.uk