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The musical started its life as a low-budget US TV movie and has become a massive global hit, with its soundtrack on course to be number one in the charts on Sunday.

The soundtrack has already produced nine top 100 tracks, five in the top 50 and the single 'Breaking Free' in the top 20 on the charts. The album is currently number three on the combined charts on iTunes and .

Since its US launch in January, 'High School Musical' has reached more than 35m viewers on the Disney Channel, won two Emmy awards and been awarded a Guinness World Record for the most successful songs for any soundtrack.

More than 1.8m tuned in to the film, which follows two pupils -- actors Zac Efron and Vanessa Anne Hudgens -- who fall in love while auditioning for a play, during its UK premiere over the weekend of September 22 on the Disney Channel. It is now due to feature on BBC One by the end of the year.

Viewers will be able to download the lyrics for the next event -- a special 'High School Musical' singalong telecast, on the Disney Channel. Other online extras include a sample of the musical's soundtrack, downloadable wallpaper and a printable show programme and poster.

Rob Gilby, managing director Disney Channel UK, said: "Music is one of the core drivers of Disney Channel's success as it's an integral part of every kid's life no matter where they live. The 'High School Musical' soundtrack is catchy, relevant and optimistic in a way that resonates with our young audience, which is why it is in such demand around the world and now here in the UK."

Leading up to the premiere weekend, Disney Channel UK launched creative programming events, interactive and online elements, a school outreach programme that furthers the "express yourself" message of the movie.

There is even set to be a Bollywood version of the movie, with the soundtrack re-recorded in Hindi.

The original was directed by Kenny Ortega, who is best known as the choreographer on 'Dirty Dancing' and 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off'. Disney is already understood to be planning a sequel.

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