Lee Mead won the role of Joseph in a public vote Lee Mead on stage

The West End performance had to be temporarily halted while the problem was fixed.

Mead won the chance to play the lead role through the BBC One programme Any Dream Will Do.

Critics were largely won over by his performance, although some said his voice was not always strong enough.

The Telegraph's Charles Spencer said Mead "has a powerful and expressive voice" but was concerned "his vocals were beginning to sound a little frayed" by the end.

Standing ovation

And Paul Callan of the Daily Express said of Mead: "He has a great talent, and will go far. His voice is clear, firm and convincing."

Tuesday's audience at the Adelphi Theatre was packed with critics and celebrities, including Jason Donovan and Stephen Gately, who have previously played Joseph.

Following a standing ovation, the losing contestants of the Any Dream Will Do show joined Mead on stage, along with the musical's creators Sir Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Mead was picked to play the part of Joseph by a public vote, having impressed a panel of judges during the competition.

The 26-year-old from Essex had already appeared in the musical, playing the Pharaoh character in a touring production.