SUPER-Gavin-Lee-quite-fantastic-expialidocious.Former Suffolk schoolboy Gavin Lee has been short-listed today for a top showbiz award after his performances in the West End hit musical Mary Poppins.

SUPER-Gavin-Lee-quite-fantastic-expialidocious.

Former Suffolk schoolboy Gavin Lee has been short-listed today for a top showbiz award after his performances in the West End hit musical Mary Poppins.

Lee, who started out in amateur dramatics with Woodbridge's Company of Four, is one of the stars of the critically-acclaimed show, which heads the nominations for this year's Laurence Olivier Awards.

Playing the role of chimney sweep Bert, made famous by Dick Van Dyke in the 1960s film, Lee is in the running for best actor in a musical.

Mary Poppins leads the way with nine nominations for this year's star-studded event.

In addition to Lee being nominated, the show is up for best new musical and his co-star, Laura Michelle Kelly, has also been chosen for the best actress in a musical category.

Thirty-two-year-old Lee, who was brought up in Woodbridge, has earned rave reviews for his role since the £9million extravaganza opened at London's Prince Edward Theatre last month.

Playing Bert has been Lee's big breakthrough in showbusiness and is the highlight of his 14-year career.

The former Farlingaye High School pupil has appeared in a number of top musicals before, but has never played the lead role on the West End stage.

Mary Poppins is vying for the top accolades with The Producers, the stage show based on Mel Brooks' hit comedy, which has eight nominations.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's latest West End production The Woman In White, received five.

The 29th Olivier Awards will be held at the London Hilton on Park Lane on

February 20.