Kassie on road to stardom

A talented Shaw teenager has won a place at a prestigious London drama school.

Kassie Deakin-Bowers (19), of Vine Close, will start a three-year degree in acting and musical theatre at the Central School of Speech and Drama — which was attended by Laurence Olivier and Vanessa Redgrave — in October.

The blossoming star started at Oldham Theatre Workshop five years ago when she was a pupil at Our Lady’s RC High in Royton.

A course in performing arts at Oldham College followed and Kassie was awarded distinctions in every exam she took.

She credits tutor Joan Illingworth at Oldham College with inspiring her to get where she is today.

Kassie, who appeared as Natasha Bedingfield on ITV show ‘Stars in Their Eyes’ in 2006, has also had a role in BBC One show ‘Waterloo Road’.

She said: “I had to go through two auditions to get my degree place and wait for six weeks to finally receive my unconditional place. It was really nerve-racking and a long time to wait.

“I’m a little bit nervous about moving to London as I’ve never really stayed away from home but all my family and friends are being very supportive. They are all really proud of me. In the future I would love to be on stage in a musical in the West End.”