A BUDDING actor is “utterly thrilled” to have been accepted into the most prestigious acting school in the country.

Tom Prior from Ansty, near Dorchester, is one of only 30 actors to be chosen to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).

It comes just three years after Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, joked that she looked forward to seeing him on the big screen one day.

Tom is a former student of Dorchester’s Thomas Hardye School and he also studied BTEC Performing Arts at Weymouth College.

The 20-year-old will join a long list of illustrious actors who have attended RADA including Kenneth Branagh and Ralph Fiennes.

Tom said: “After leaving RADA on the recall audition day the course leader phoned me about an hour later telling me that I had done an exceptional audition and that they would like me to join the course starting this September.

“I am utterly thrilled to have been accepted onto the course.

“I feel that the training will give me the time and support to be able to refine my skills to succeed as an actor.

“Acting for me, is a way of life, a lifelong driven passion and I continue to learn so much every day.”

Tom’s tutor at school was the assistant head teacher Richard Wheal.

Mr Wheal said: “Tom is a very talented and very watchable performer; he holds the attention of the audience.

“He is precise, disciplined and funny – when you watch him you can see him thinking his way through a performance.”

He added: “In the big school shows like Jesus Christ Super Star, he absolutely shone.

“He was always destined to succeed.

“People liked watching him and being with him, he is a charismatic kind of person. The school is really pleased for him as RADA is probably the hardest acting school to get into.”

Tom met Prince Charles when he opened the new sports hall, crèche and library at Thomas Hardye School.

They spoke about their mutual passion for painting and when Tom revealed his desire to become an actor, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, joked that she looked forward to seeing him on the big screen one day.

After leaving school with three A-Levels, including an A in Theatre Studies, Tom completed a BTEC in Performing Arts at Weymouth College. He left with a distinction, the highest grade possible.

Tom now has to turn his talent to raising the neccessary cash to fund the course - the fees for which cost just under £11,000 for the year.

With no government assistence available, he is planning numerous fundraising events and is seeking sponsorship to help fulfil his RADA dream.

RADA's ILLUSTRIOUS HISTORY

The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in Gower Street, London, offers vocational training for actors, stage managers, directors, designers and technical stage craft specialists.

It was established in 1904 and has built an outstanding reputation as a world-renowned centre of excellence.

A number of Britain’s most illustrious actors have trained there over the years including Kenneth Branagh, Ralph Fiennes, Richard Briers, Antony Hopkins, Jane Horrocks, Joan Collins and Timothy Spall.