A young performer will be following in his late uncle’s footsteps after landing a place at one of the country’s top musical theatre schools.

Liam Lloyd, 18, of Idle, Bradford, has received a scholarship to do a degree in musical theatre at the Guildford School of Acting.

While there, he will be performing at the school’s Electric Theatre in Guildford where his late uncle, Darren Lloyd, worked in the technical lighting department and in the box office. A statue in his memory stands outside the theatre. Darren died of cancer in 2001, when Liam was a child.

“When I was eight, I used to play his piano. It was because of him that I started taking an interest in music,” said Liam, who has trained in singing, dancing and acting at Debut Theatre School in Shipley. “I’m looking forward to performing at the theatre, with Darren’s statue outside. It feels like his legacy.”

Liam, a pupil at Hanson School, Swain House, Bradford, aims to perform in West End shows when his three-year degree course is completed. “We have to attend auditions as part of the course. It’s one of the top three places in the country to study musical theatre,” he said. “My dream role would be Tony in West Side Story.” Debut principal Jacqui Drake said: “We’re so proud of Liam, he’s very talented and has worked extremely hard. It’s rare to receive a scholarship like this.

“We look forward to seeing him grace the stage of many professional productions in the future.

She added: “Liam is following in the footsteps of another Debut student, Simon Shorten, who trained at GSA and is now understudying the lead role of Jean Valjean in the West End production of Les Miserables.” Debut Theatre School is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a production of Annie which Liam’s 12-year-old sister, Lois, is in. The show runs at Guiseley Theatre from June 29 to July 1. Tickets are available on (0113) 250 3874.