Tim Omaji – known in the Australian media landscape for many years as Timomatic –  rose to fame as a stand out dance contestant on So You Think You Can Dance Australia as well as a swathe of other variety shows and productions.

Now taking on the admittedly daunting role of Ike Turner in  Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, Omaji has relished the chance to involve more complexity and nuance in his already-impressive portfolio – inevitable when playing such a controversial caharacter.

“I’ve done this show 300 times now, and there’s been an array of responses,” Omaji said.

“At first I didn’t get it, you know, a couple of drunken punters coming out [after the show] and going, ‘ What did you do!’ But I’m there now.”

Press PLAY to hear the full interview with Tim Omaji

Image: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty