A BUDDING young star of stage and screen from Penarth could be headed to the top of the acting world, after gaining entry into one of the most prestigious arts organisations

Ellis Hopkins, 17, is one of just 100 young actors accepted into the National Youth Theatre (NYT) of Great Britain this year, whose alumni include Dame Helen Mirren, Daniel Craig, Daniel Day-Lewis, Sir Ben Kingsley and many others heavyweights of the acting world.

So far 2016 has proved to be a great success for Ellis with the NYT audition coming off the back of being cast as the titular character in the Everyman Youth Theatre's performance of Richard II - which will be performed in Stratford-upon-Avon in August - and also having gained a call-back for his audition for the National Theatre of Wales' Romeo and Juliet.

St Cyres pupil Ellis, who also plays piano to a Grade 8 standard, only started acting four years ago when he played one of the T-Birds in his school production of Grease.

Since then Ellis, who lives in Cowslip Drive with his parents and younger brother, has gone on the star in several school plays, attended the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama's Youth Acting Studio and has also been a member of the Mark Jermin Stage School where he was involved in a production of Les Miserables.

"I love acting, I love giving myself a challenge," said Ellis. "I was shocked to get into the National Youth Theatre, it was quite amazing, especially as I had just got the news about the National Theatre of Wales, which is also very big."

Ellis said that as well as hoping to go on and pursue acting in further education, he hoped that the NYT experience - which is used a talent pool for directors all over the world - would give his career an early boost.

He said: "It's a great opportunity to meet people and perform in shows, get experience and learn more about the profession and the industry.

"I would love to get some work at the end of it, that's my overall ambition."