STARS from Strictly Come Dancing and Emmerdale are helping a Bradford theatre school deliver online drama classes.

With group classes currently not taking place, due to the coronavirus crisis, the Yorkshire School of Acting (YSA) has enlisted the help of Strictly’s Kevin Clifton and actors from popular TV dramas to make sure students don’t miss out.

When Matt Zina, the principal of the Bradford-based theatre school and a former Emmerdale actor, decided to hold live interactive classes via Facebook, he contacted celebrity friends from his work in TV, film and stage.

Helping him out with classes are siblings Kevin and Joanne Clifton, both previous winners of Strictly Come Dancing, James Hooton who plays Sam Dingle in Emmerdale, and several YSA students who have landed roles in films and TV productions, including Joel McVeagh, who starred in all three Christmas Prince Netflix films, Ackley Bridge star Maariah Hussain, and Shaun Thomas who was in Emmerdale and the films Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children and A Selfish Giant, shot in Bradford,

“This has been a wonderful way of keeping my students’ spirits up and keeping them learning and interested in acting,” said Matt. “We at YSA wish everyone the best of luck through this strange period, but we’re going to be one of those positive organisations that is making the absolute best of things.

“The celebrities taking part have all been incredibly kind and generous with their time. They’re talking about their own careers, while offering tips and answering ay questions our students may have.

“Kevin Clifton and Joanne Clifton of Strictly fame have been wonderful champions of me as a drama coach. Kevin has been mentioning on his podcast all the things I’ve taught him, and Joanne requested sessions from me while on her national tours of musical theatre shows such as Flashdance and The Rocky Horror Show.

“I had a special acting class with Kevin during his run-up to him playing the lead in hit show Rock of Ages, to help him prepare for the character of Stacey Jaxx. This created a lovely little connection which has led to him very kindly agreeing to do a class with my students.”

Added Matt, whose students have been in TV hits such as Gentleman Jack: “This is only the beginning - I plan to carry this on every week until we are able to get back doing group classes.”

l To join in with the Yorkshire School of Acting classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings go to facebook.com/theyorkshireschoolofacting or visit the

yorkshireschoolofacting.co.uk