Derbyshire pupil stars in BBC TV series

William (2nd left) with actors Jordan Benjamin, Keith Rice, Sydney Wade, Joseph Gallucci, Helen Smith

A pupil of Mount St Mary’s College, Spinkhill, is enjoying life in the limelight as one of the stars of the CBBC television drama ‘Rocket’s Island.’ 13-year-old William Hall plays the part of Healey in the popular children’s show which is currently on the CBBC channel.

Will originally auditioned for ‘Rocket’s Island’ alongside thousands of young hopefuls in April 2012. After being offered the part of Jonathan Healey, he spent last year’s summer holidays from the Derbyshire school filming in various locations along the north coast of Wales. Even though it involved long days of filming with many early morning starts, his proud mother, Jane, says he loved every moment of it.

“When he had some free time on set he tried to learn as much as he could from the crew about the process of making films. He loves the technical side of filming. All the cast and crew were amazing and really looked after the children. They all learned so much and had a fabulous experience.”

Will says that working on Rocket’s Island was a great experience for him. “I never realised how many people are involved in the making of a TV programme. Lots of people with their different expertise coming together in one big team. Everybody played an important part … the actors, the director, film and sound crews … and especially the caterers! Everyone worked so hard to do their very best.”

Will says he discovered his love of performing while a pupil at Mount St Mary’s prep school, Barlborough Hall School, where he was involved in school plays and in drama club productions. Since then he has performed in the touring production of ‘Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ at the Lyceum theatre in Sheffield and he recently received an award from Harry Potter actor Matthew Lewis. He also regularly attends drama school, the Tonicha Lawrence Academy, near Wetherby and has taken part in various productions there.

‘Rocket’s Island’ is on CBBC every Monday at 5.25pm until July.