Patrick hoping to become a star of the stage

Patrick Price (23) of Rolleston Avenue, Maltby, will start at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts - known as ALRA North - in Wigan this September.

Patrick said he hopes the experience will provide him with the skills for a successful acting career.

He has also won a scholarship which will pay his £9,950 annual fees for all three years of his course, which will give him a much sought-after degree.

ALRA North has alumni including actress Miranda Hart.

Patrick fought off competition from thousands of entrants to grab a spot on the course.

His parents Alphonsus and Eileen, as well as his five brothers, said they were all delighted at his success.

Despite none of his relatives performing on stage, Patrick said he knew he wanted to become an actor from a young age.

He said: “My mum and dad put me in for dance lessons when I was young and when I started being taken to the theatre I knew what I wanted to do.

“My parents are really happy knowing it’s what I have always wanted to do.”

Patrick, who is currently working the night shift at a Hellaby call centre, has been attending the StandBy Method Acting Studio on Aire Street in Sheffield and credits his tutor Louise O’Leary, the founder and artistic director, for helping him get to drama school.

He said: “Without her training, I really don’t think I would have won one of the limited places. She gave me a huge insight into method acting.”

Patrick said he hopes the three-year course will be a crucial\!stepping stone for his career.

He said: “Going to drama school means that I will learn about my craft and will have all the tools to be a professional actor when I leave.

“I move to Greater Manchester in August and begin my training in September and I cannot wait to represent South Yorkshire in the theatre world, one day hopefully on a national level.

“It is rare that someone like me, with humble working class roots, gets the chance to train at such an institution as it comes at quite a financial cost.

“However, I have wanted to study at drama school for a long time and I won’t be letting that stop me.”