A BBC Celebrity Visit

Today the Academy was excited to welcome Charlie Suff, who plays Johnny Carter on Eastenders, for a careers-focused set of live interviews with our students.

Through the day, organised with BBC Bitesize's Careers Team, students gathered in our theatre to hear about Charlie's career journey, through drama school, into professional acting and his role on Eastenders. He spoke about the importance of making the right choice for yourself, not just following in what your friends do or where they go.

Charlie also took questions from students using the BBC's 'rugby ball microphone'. Olivia (Year 7) asked whether he gets nervous. 'Yes, I absolutely do. For my first few months on set I would get nervous every day, and I still do to this day if there is a big scene. But nerves can be helpful as an actor -- they wake your brain up. I try to control them and use them to propel me forward.'

Through their questions, students also learned that his dream job is to play a member of the Rolling Stones in a biopic, and that his favourite Eastenders character is Jack Branning, played by Scott Maslen, because he gets involved with every plotline! He was particularly excited to audition for Eastenders because it is a show with so much history, and he supports Chelsea.

Our thanks to the Hertswood Careers Team, BBC Bitesize, and Charlie for the fantastic day.