FORMER Great Sankey High School pupil Andrew Gower has been following in the footsteps of Dame Judi Dench, Robert Lindsay and Jim Broadbent after picking up the prestigious Spotlight Prize.

The talented actor has since been on television screens playing cardiac surgeon Dr Mullery in ITV series Monroe with James Nesbitt playing the title character and appeared as Frankenstein in the live BBC performance of Frankenstein’s Bride alongside Eastenders star Lacey Turner earlier this year.

The 22-year-old is currently filming for BBC Three hit Being Human where he plays new vampire Cutler.

Andrew, who left Barrow Hall College after studying A level drama and theatre studies in 2007 and is a graduate from the Oxford School of Drama, said winning the Spotlight Prize was a lovely way of finishing three years of training.

He said: “It was very exciting and unexpected.

“My mum was away and I couldn’t get hold of anyone so I was just sat on the tube grinning with a cheque in my hand and a bunch of flowers.”

Andrew picked up the acting bug during year nine at school and often took part in plays and musicals including Guys and Dolls before joining an amateur dramatic group while studying for his A levels.

He added: “I had a very good teacher Mr Day who helped me.

“I always liked playing the fool but didn’t take it seriously until A levels.”

His latest role in Being Human is very different to his previous parts but Andrew is relishing the opportunity.

He said: “I’ve been very lucky to work with amazing directors.

“It’s really exciting times at the moment and I just hope it continues.”