Former student makes Coronation Street debut
Wed, 20 July 2016
Callum Harrison, a former health and social care student from Tameside College made his Coronation Street debut earlier this month as troublemaker Clayton in the popular soap.
The former St Damian's RC Science College student has received rave reviews for his debut performance in the show and began dreaming of stardom first as a dancer.
Callum, from Droylsden, said: “I used to watch Britain’s Got Talent and when Aidan Davis came in series three break dancing, I was hooked. I looked up to Aidan and wanted to perform just like he did on the show.”
After being signed to an agency in Manchester, gaining small parts and extra work in TV shows such as Emmerdale and Cold Feet, Callum successfully auditioned for Coronation Street, playing a central part in a plot involving the death of one of the show’s most loved characters, Kylie Platt.
Callum said: “I was so star struck when I first arrived on set, it felt surreal to have been watching these actors on the show for so many years and there I was on the first day having lunch with them. Everyone on the show was so warm and welcoming, especially Jack Shepard who plays David Platt. I really look up to him as an actor because he has had a fantastic career on the show and has been amazing to act opposite through this whole experience.”
As he takes a break from the show, Callum will be joining Clarendon Sixth Form College to study performing arts after completing a course in health and social care at Tameside College.
Callum said: “My original plan was to become a teaching assistant but I found myself drawn more to a career in acting as I got more parts. I feel like I’ve found my passion in life and want to pursue that. I’m really looking forward to developing my acting skillset at Clarendon and working with everyone on the course. I’m especially excited about the Christmas show. I think I’ll be more nervous performing live in front of 200 people than when I was on Coronation Street so I’m looking forward to challenging myself. Both colleges have really helped me pursue my dream, making sure I had the support to finish my course at Tameside College and then get onto the performing arts course at Clarendon. I can’t wait for September.”
Danny Price, performing arts teacher at Clarendon Sixth Form College, said: “We’re excited to be welcoming Callum in September and looking forward to developing his skills even further on stage at the Brook Vincent theatre at Clarendon.”
For more information on our health and social care courses please call: 0161 908 6789 or click here.