A teenager who is set on an acting career has been given the chance of a lifetime with a bursary for the UK’s oldest drama academy.

Billy Stuart’s dream came a step closer with the award, which pays for a place on the coveted two-week introduction course run at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) in Barons Court.

The 19-year-old had completed a BTEC in acting at William Morris Sixth Form College and was encouraged by his drama teacher to join the peer mentoring programme at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith.

The Lyric was impressed by the way he taught 11 to 13-year-olds and offered him the bursary as part of its partnership with the world-renowned academy.

Billy, who now lives in Peckham but works in a bank in Fulham, said: “Since I did GCSE drama, I’ve wanted to be an actor. It sounds cheesy, but this was a chance of a lifetime.”

Sarah Jane Chapman, from LAMDA, said the academy recruits on talent alone while supporting students to help break down the financial barriers to training.