Emmerdale – Jack Downham – “Noah”

By Dick Walker | 23/02/2017

Jack’s first job was as the face of Whiskas Cat food in a worldwide TV commercial…the cat was sacked for scratching him but the ad ran for years. At the age of 5 he had a  of small part in “Spooks-Code 9”  followed by “Heartbeat” where he happily did his own “stunts” over and over again…

Emmerdale – Huey Quinn “Kyle”

By Dick Walker | 15/02/2017

Gorgeous Huey originally played the part of Cain’s son “Kyle” as a baby, returning to the role in 2013 along with grandmother “Joanie” played by Denise Black. Following Joanie’s death in 2017 Kyle is now under the care of the Dingles.

Verity Rushworth

By Dick Walker | 02/02/2017

Verity took over the role of Donna Windsor in “Emmerdale” as a 12 year old Scalakid and played the part for almost 11 years . She recently returned to the soap for six months to film emotional scenes featuring Donna’s illness and subsequent suicide . Verity is now fulfilling her dream – playing various West End…

Katie Pearson

By Dick Walker | 02/02/2017

Katie was always a “stand out” Scalakid. She did lots of TV  – taking a lead role in “My Parents are Aliens” Then after studying at Arts Ed she went straight to the West End and is appearing in “Back to th Future” after tapping away in 42nd Street.

Lucy-Jo Hudson

By Dick Walker | 02/02/2017

Now a star on ITVs Dance Dance Dance with her friend Rohan Pinnock-Hamilton, Lucy-Jo Hudson joined the Coronation Street cobbles in 2002 to portray Katy Harris and left three years later. She went on to star in the series Wild at Heart and appears as a regular panelist on Loose Women.

To Walk Invisible – BBC

By Dick Walker | 02/01/2017

Scala’s Troy Tipple and Talia Barnett play Young Branwell and Young Emily Bronte in this lavish new feature length period drama about the lives of the Bronte sisters. Written and Directed by award winning Sally Wainwright (Happy Valley, Last Tango in Halifax). The Drama was filmed in Yorkshire.     

Ross Lee-Fowkes

By Dick Walker | 21/12/2016

After graduating from Urdang Academy – Ross toured with “Joseph and the amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”. First as one of the “brothers” and then he took over the lead part of Joseph. Ross went on to play “Goody Goodman” in “Fame: The Musical”.

Rohan Pinnock-Hamilton

By Dick Walker | 21/12/2016

Currently dazzling the Judges in ITVs Dance Dance Dance – Rohan attended Scala as a child and a teenager before moving on to  Urdang Academy in London.  He’s served as a backup dancer for Beverley Knight, Kanye West, and Lemar.  Rohan  can cite a myriad of West End  theatre credits, such as Mary Poppins, Hairspray,…

Natalie Anderson

By Dick Walker | 21/12/2016

Natalie was another “musical theatre” kid when she attended Scala but her blossoming acting skills were becoming apparent in our drama workshops. Natalie often had us in tears with her emotional improvs alongside the then teenage Andrew Lee Potts. She went on to win roles as nurse “Stella” in “The Royal” and “Alicia” in “Emmerdale”-…

Ashford Campbell

By Dick Walker | 21/12/2016

Ashford hit the big time in the X factor and has toured the world with boy band Nu Vibe.and is now a member of boy band The Risk. He has appeared in The West End with “Beautiful – The Carol King Musical” “The Future Girl” and led the cast of “The Drifters Girl”.

Rhea Bailey

By Dick Walker | 12/12/2016

Currently appearing in Coronation Street as “Caz”. Rhea also popped up in the hit US crime drama “The Mentalist” as Amanda Shaw after a successful run appearing as “PC Mel Ryder” in The Bill for two years.

Bleu Woodward

By Dick Walker | 12/12/2016

Scalakid Bleu studied at Lane Theatre Arts – then toured with South Pacific. She played Lisa in “Mama Mia” and was one of the Divas in “Priscilla – Queen of the Desert” She is currently appearing in the new West End musical version of “Kinky Boots” which coincidentally starred ex Scalakid Sarah Jane Potts in…

Jenny Wickham

By Dick Walker | 12/12/2016

Jenny trained at Lane Theatre Arts and played “Roxie Hart” in “Chicago” at the Cambridge Theatre London, “Penny” in “Dirty Dancing” and went on to “swing” in “Wicked”, appearing many times as “Elphaba” at the Apollo Theatre.

Michelle Hardwick

By Dick Walker | 12/12/2016

Michelle came to Scalakids as a very determined but untrained 14 year old. She needed to catch up with her fellow students so she started musical theatre classes with the “little kids” and rapidly rose through the ranks, Producing a talented singer and dancer however acting was always her first love. At 16 we sent…

Rachel Leskovac

By Dick Walker | 01/12/2016

Rachel was a Scalakid for many years taking part in many local productions and the occasional TV role. She graduated from the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts in 1998 and went on to play many roles in both theatre and TV. She won critical acclaim for her portrayal of pools winner Viv Nicholson in “Spend!…

Nadine Mulkerrin

By Dick Walker | 01/12/2016

Nadine was with us for a long time before finding fame. Now appearing in Hollyoaks as Cleopatra “Cleo” McQueen. Now there are four ex Scalakids in the programme!

Jennifer Metcalfe

By Dick Walker | 01/12/2016

Jennifer joined ScalaKids as a 12 year old drama pupil and in her time with us played many roles in TV drama’s including “At Home With the Braithwaites” “Where the heart is” “Birthday Girl” “Emmerdale” and “My Parents Are Aliens” for ITV. Always playing the “Naughty Girl” it was no surprise when she landed the…

Downton Abbey

By Dick Walker | 29/11/2016

We’re thrilled that two Scalakids were cast before this wonderful series finally reached the end last Christmas. Lucas Culff and Erin Surtees played curious village school children in what will be the last ever series of the popular period drama. Both kids and chaperones were delighted to film on this iconic production and its fabulous…

Beowulf – Return to the Shieldlands

By Dick Walker | 29/11/2016

Scalakid George Kent played “Young Slean” in this epic fantasy drama on ITV. George’s black belt in martial arts was very useful during the fight scenes between his character and the young Beowulf.  

The Moorside – BBC

By Dick Walker | 29/11/2016

11 year old William Hunt plays “Peter Bushby” – the son of Julie Bushby (played by “Cilla” and “The C Word” actress  Sheridan Smith ) in this gritty TV drama about the women who rallied round when schoolgirl Shannon Matthews went missing from her home on a Dewsbury estate.