He has starred in many TV shows — including as Jerome Johnson in soap Brookside for many years, as well as in Mersey Beat, The Court Room and Holby City, before landing the role of Tank Top in Hollyoaks in the City . . . where his following on E4 and Channel 4 earned him an invitation to ITV's Soapstar Superstar hit show.

That led directly to him starring as the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a West End role in Rent with Denise Van Outen and a host of appearances on daytime TV shows.

• Party in the Park gets X Factor

Leon joins a growing line-up of acts for the day-long festival at Titchfield Park on 2nd August — local acts together with star attraction Andy Abraham, of X Factor and Eurovision fame, girl band Stonefoxx (featuring a local singer) and a High School Musical tribute.

He will be performing a couple of tracks from his new album Moving On, to be released in October.

A preview of the song and video, which also includes an appearance by a member of Stonefoxx, can be found at www.myspace.com/leonlopez

Also confirmed for Party in the Park is Alana Esterella, whose current debut single All Of You is top of the charts on one music TV website, www.e-musictelevision.com

Born in the UK, but raised worldwide, Alana was spotted by her label while doing a Bungee jump at a rock and surf concert.

Party in the Park is the focal point of Summer in the Streets, free entertainment put together by Mansfield District Council in conjunction with Mansfield Town Centre Partnership over the summer weeks.

Summer in the Streets continues this weekend with acrobats the Black Eagles in Mansfield Market Place on Saturday, at 12noon and 1.30pm.

A full list of Summer in the Streets events can be found at the website www.mansfieldtowncentre.co.uk