He has extended his drama academy for adults to cater for kids after he was swamped with demand.

Peter reckons that although there are plenty of theatre schools around, few offer the chance to learn about acting on the box.

So now budding teenage TV stars have the chance to learn the tricks of the trade, thanks to ActUpNorth; now open for anyone aged over 10.

Peter is also offering scholarships to the cream of the crop as well as a free trial lesson over the next two weeks for anyone aged 10 to 18.

He told the YEP: "We were getting emails from parents asking for classes for kids. Now we are getting kids from Doncaster and Wakefield because there is nothing that deals specifically with television training and acting for camera.

"I am from Huddersfield and when I was younger I had to travel to Manchester to do classes and even now having finished my training there is nothing in Leeds for young people."

The adult classes opened in April last year and since then students have been signed up by acting agents.

"It's a drama school, it's part time but deals with acting and training. We work with cameras and monitors and bring in directors who tutor students."

Guest tutors include casting directors from programmes such as The Bill, Red Riding, Grange Hill, The Royal and Hollyoaks.

Lucy Lowe is one of the tutors and was most recently seen playing Amber Jones in Emmerdale and will appear in Married, Single, Other which was recently filmed in Leeds.

The academy, run from Studio 81, Kirkstall Road, has been so successful Peter is looking to branch out into Manchester and Liverpool next year.
Classes for kids run on a Monday and Tuesday evening from 5.15 to 7.15pm for ages 10 to 18 years old.

* For more information visit www.actupnorth.com, email: info@actupnorth.com or tel 07544907781.