A YOUNG actor who cut his teeth in amateur productions at Blackburn College has got his big break in a major TV sitcom.

James Slark - stage name is James Carlton - has secured a starring role in the 13 episode ITV series Days Like These, which starts tonight at 8.30pm.

The British version of the highly acclaimed American That 70s Show is set in Luton in 1976 and focuses on the lives of six teenagers as they cope with the trials and tribulations of adolescence.

James' character, Michael McGuire, is described as "a lanky, good looking but highly likeable and gullible guy whose head is ruled by his misguided passion, a trait taken advantage of by his manipulative girlfriend."

The 21-year-old from Harwood, Bolton, studied A Level Performing Arts at Blackburn College and also completed a BTEC Nation Diploma in Media Studies.

He left in 1997 to pursue his dream acting career and has since worked for the Hetty Wainthropp team, appeared in a TV commercial, Emmerdale, The Cops and Cold Feet, in between working at Granada Studios Tours and as a cocktail barman at The Trafford Centre.

"This is the break I have been waiting for," he said. "I had to cancel my 21st birthday party so I could be at the first rehearsal but this has been the best present I could have hoped for.

"I was also offered a presenting job with ITV at the same time but I'm glad I chose the show. It's really original and their is a real rapport between the cast."

James now lives in London with fellow cast members Emma Pierson and Jamie Beck, but returns home to visit family and friends when his schedule allows.

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