Exclusive: Zac Efron 'not needed' for High School Musical revival, jokes star Harry Judd

High School Musical stage star Harry Judd has joked that Zac Efron isn't needed for the new production. Efron originally rose to fame in the iconic screen franchise, with McFly's Judd taking on the role of his character Troy Bolton's dad at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre production.

While Efron isn't involved, his co-star KayCee Stroh is appearing in the stage show, this time in the role of drama teacher Ms Darbus instead of Martha Cox.

"KayCee's the only one who knows Zac. She was in the original film, she played Martha," Judd noted to Digital Spy at the show's press night. "I've heard first-hand, I don't wanna pry but I've heard first-hand unsurprisingly that 'Zac's a sweetheart.'

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"He seems like a legend, a really nice guy. She said he's very sweet. He lives in America, I can't imagine he'll be flying over!" he added, before quipping: "We don't need Zac, we've got KayCee!

"We're all big fans of the film and Zac Efron has gone on to amazing things, and like... To have such a big hit at a young age... He's been able to 'break free'!"

Judd admitted that he wasn't as well versed with the original movies before taking on the role, though did know "the songs and the story" and "obviously Zac Efron".

"I knew the whole setup," he added. "It kind of passed me by. I was 19, I think I thought I was too cool, but I'm 40 now and I'm definitely not too cool!"

As for his own big screen aspirations, Judd admitted: "I would, I'd only do something I that I feel like I'd be good at. I'm really enjoying [this]. We'll see. I hope so, it's been really fun."

High School Musical famously released three movies, as well as spin-off Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure, launching the careers of Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale among others. It was also revived in TV series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, which helped propel Olivia Rodrigo to stardom.

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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International.  Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.