WORCESTER born actor Richard Swerrun, best known for playing Joseph, has died at the age of 57.

The actor played Joseph in Bill Kenwright long-running hit production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Mr Swerrun appeared in the West End production I and its Y at the Piccadilly Theatre, danced with Strictly’s Arlene Phillips in Hot Gossip, was in the opening performance of the Deutches Theater Munich backed by the Bluebell Girls and sang with the Pasadena Roof and Syd Lawrence orchestras.

In London and at Manchester Opera House he took over the role of Tony in West Side Story where he met American composer Leonard Bernstein.

He appeared in Oklahoma with friend Bonnie Langford, as well as Whistle Down the Wind, Robin Prince of Sherwood, Scrooge and Prince Charming, while Ken Russell cast him as Jaeger in his second film about Sir Edward Elgar.

His partner, conductor David Steadman, said: “On the recommendation of Barbara Windsor he auditioned for Bill Kenwright who immediately cast him as Joseph which he played throughout the UK scooping up sensational reviews and a loyal following.

“As a solo singer he sang in his one-man show round the world including dates at Ronnie Scott’s, the Cunard World Cruises for the Concordia Foundation and sell-out shows on his beloved home turf at Malvern Theatre.”

He died of cancer at the Severn Hospice in Shrewsbury on January 8 with his partner of 28 years by his side.

Bill Kenwright tweeted: “One of our greatest ever Josephs - one of our greatest ever boys.”

Stephan Matthews added: “We’ve all got wonderful memories of a wonderful man.”