Bradford actor Duncan Preston has good reason to throw his weight behind the district's Capital of Culture bid.

Duncan, who is one of the best known faces on television thanks to his long-term collaboration with comic Victoria Wood, says if it wasn't for Bradford's cultural life he would probably be a lorry driver today.

The Eccleshill-born actor, a former Bradford Grammar School pupil, was a bored teenager when he discovered the Priestley Centre in a Little Germany backstreet.

"It was the mid-1960s and I was working at my dad's haulage firm," he said.

"I was very bored and didn't really feel I had a purpose in life.

"Acting had never been an option for me, but I went along and discovered that drama was something I could do and really enjoy.

"I found something I loved doing and I've been lucky enough to make a living out of it.

"The Priestley - or the Civic as it was known then - gave me a purpose. If it wasn't for that place I would probably have ended up as a lorry driver."

Last year he supported the Telegraph & Argus's Save the Priestley campaign, which raised awareness of the plight of the cash-strapped theatre. Now he is backing the campaign to promote Bradford's Capital of Culture bid.

"I'm delighted to get on board and give the bid my backing. Capital of Culture status would benefit the city enormously by changing perceptions of the place and increasing business confidence and tourism.

"Bradford has a great heritage and has the potential to go right to the top and win the culture title."

Duncan is a frequent visitor to Bradford to watch his beloved Bradford Bulls.

He is well known for his roles in hit sitcoms Dinnerladies and Surgical Spirit, and has also made regular appearances as Kevin the Teenager's dad in BBC1's Harry Enfield and Chums. And his impressive range of theatre credits includes various RSC productions.