ALL possible jokes have already been made - but one man who'll have you munching humble pie for breakfast, lunch and dinner is Jon Lee, ex-member of S Club, who has moved on from (relative) pop poverty to stage glory in the West End as a cast member of Les Misrables.

And stop that carping - because he's brilliant.

Jon (pictured above) joined as Marius in July last year, saying that he was looking forward to the challenge because "We (S Club) were miming the whole time when we were on TV and whatever. With this I get to sing every night."

So how does he look back, now that he's six months into the role?

"It's been absolutely fantastic. It's amazing to be in the West End - I feel dead proud!

"On the opening night, there were a lot of press there, the other members of S Club 7 and my family. To be honest, a lot of the press that had turned up were there to slate me, so I was a bit nervous. But it was absolutely fine once I was out there.

"It's funny because I remember coming to see Les Misrables and thinking that Marius would be the sort of role I'd love to play."

What the aforementioned press may have neglected to note was Jon's history of performing, as he had previously played the title role in Oliver! at the London Palladium and toured the country as Julian in the musical of The Famous Five before joining S Club.

EastEnders fans may remember Jon as Josh, the boyfriend of Claire Bates, who was the daughter of Nigel's wife.

"That still comes up all the time! It's amazing that people mention it - I was only in it for six months."

As a result of his wide experience, Jon's reviews have been universally good. That must surely have been a real vindication of him as a performer?

"Absolutely. I mean, you get your mother telling you that it was great, but for people who don't know you to say it was good... to have that really means something."

Does he want to continue in this line of work?

"I would definitely take another job in musical theatre because I love the lifestyle. I've really got most of my days free and then I only have to come to the theatre at night.

"I finish Les Misrables in June, and have no idea specifically what I am going to do from there, but there are lots of things I'd like to have a go at."

Has it ever been frustrating having a job in entertainment where nothing is static?

"That's actually what I love about it. I was never built for an office in the sense that I'm very much a person who likes to be constantly doing a lot and always being busy at different things. I'm up for doing lots of bits and pieces - I love change.

"I just like the whole experience generally. The schedule in S Club was packed - you'd start very early in the morning and be going all day until very late at night. I work very well on the routine I have at the moment. I can plan my life around it."

So he's not lonely without his six stage companions of old?

"I don't really feel that. If you like, I've come from a cast of seven and moved to a cast of 30 who welcomed me with open arms.

"S Club was an amazing experience, thanks to which I've got friends all over the world."

But, for the moment, he's happy to be at home with his parents in London and his dog Molly.

"It's lovely to be settled. They've seen me through everything and been there when things have been a little crazy. But it's one of those things where the grass is always greener - you don't want to be working when you are, and when you're not, all you want is a job!"

Jon Lee is appearing as Marius in Les Misrables in the Palace Theatre, London. For ticket information and performance times, call the box office on 020 7494 5555 or 020 7494 5435.