WEST End star Damien Poole first trod the boards at Bradford’s Alhambra theatre.

He went on to star in a series of top shows in London, including Shrek the Musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Grease and Gypsy.

Now the former Queensbury School pupil is giving youngsters in the region chance to follow his footsteps.

He has opened Damien Poole Theatre Arts (DPTA), with classes in all aspects of theatre. Patrons include Bafta-winning actress Imelda Staunton, who worked with Damien in Gypsy, and her husband, Downton Abbey actor Jim Carter.

Damien’s most recent production was new musical Groundhog Day, written by Tim Minchin. “I was the Assistant Dance Captain and Swing at the prestigious Old Vic Theatre - what an opportunity to perform at one of London’s most amazing venues,” says Damien. “King Lear was on after Groundhog Day, and I was often starstruck walking past its star, Glenda Jackson.

“I finished Groundhog Day in September and decided, after teaching for over 10 years, to set up my own school dedicated to musical theatre. We have over 20 guest tutors who will leading classes, workshops and masterclasses. They’re all currently working in the business, as musical directors, choreographers, resident directors and performers.

“They include Danny Mac, runner-up in 2016’s Strictly Come Dancing, Game of Thrones actress Megan Parkinson, Emmerdale star Amy Walsh, singer-songwriter Carolynne Poole, Hollyoaks star Daisy Wood Davis, and Laura Bangay, children’s musical director of West End show Matilda.”

Damien, from Clayton Heights, trained in dance at DM Academy in Shipley.

He did a BTEC at Shipley College, then went to theatre school in London. His first professional job was in Alhambra panto Dick Whittington in 2005.

Based in Harrogate Grammar School, DPTA offers a range of performing arts classes for ages five to adults. “It’s an exciting opportunity for those with a passion and love for dance and the theatre arts,” says Damien, who leads theatre workshops across the UK and created the ‘West End Dance Marathon’, a workshop in which participants learn six original West End audition routines in succession.

Damien also came up with ‘Show in a Week’, offered to schools in the Netherlands. Working alongside a translator, he gives schoolchildren chance to engage in performing arts; creating entire productions in a week, often learning complex choreography and performing songs in English.

* Call 07540479506, email damien@dpta.co.uk or visit dpta.co.uk or facebook.com/DPTheatreArts