Meat Loaf: No words to describe seeing Bat Out Of Hell musical

Rock star Meat Loaf has said "there are no words to describe" the feeling of seeing the show based on his musical legacy brought to the West End.

He attended a special launch event for Jim Steinman's Bat Out Of Hell - The Musical at the London Coliseum, which included a live performance taster from some of the cast.

The 69-year-old rocker, real name Michael Lee Aday, said he just "helped the project along" while the real creative work was done by his long term musical partner, Steinman.

He told the Press Association: "It has been Jimmy's dream for nearly 50 years and for his dream to finally come true... there are no words to describe it.

"All I can do is cry, and that's what happens. This human being has had a dream and I am here and alive to see it."

It has been an emotional week for the Bat Out Of Hell singer, who was also brought to tears when he was handed the Hero Award for his contribution to music at London's Q Awards on Wednesday night.

Speaking of writing the musical, he said that was "more about emotion than what's in the script".

"Through the years I've read the scripts and I gave Jimmy my opinion - whether he took it or not is another matter.

"No matter what the media says, Jimmy and I have worked together for almost 42 years and we've never had an argument.

"I say to him if we need something and we respect each other's opinions, even if it's a guitar break or a change to the lyrics, and he listens, but I rarely have to."

The singer added that he was still suffering severe pain following emergency back surgery barely a month ago, and confirmed he is having regular physiotherapy.

Using some of Meat Loaf and Steinman's most loved hits, the musical is a romantic adventure set in a post-cataclysmic city adrift from the mainland.

It will star Andrew Polec as Strat and Christina Bennington as Raven, the pair who become embroiled in an unlikely and dangerous love story.

Steinman has previously collaborated in the West End with Andrew Lloyd Webber on Whistle Down The Wind, and also worked on Tanz Der Vampire.

Following Thursday's launch event, the show will preview at Manchester Opera House from February 17 to April 8, and then premiere at the London Coliseum in June.