A renowned reality TV star is to appear at a fundraising gala.
Paddy Doherty, the star of hit Channel 4 series My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and the 2011 winner of Celebrity Big Brother, will be at Holmfirth’s Civic Hall on August 23 to support young actress Emily Nicholls’ bid to fund her place at a prestigious acting school.
Paddy, 56, who now lives with his family in Queensferry in Wales, will regale the audience with his life stories before partaking in a Q & A session and performing a “surprise” piece to help raise £10,000 of the £22,050 needed by Oakes performer Emily, 22, to afford her tuition fees.
If Emily, of Hollyfield Avenue, raises the amount, it will enable her to undertake a three year diploma in Acting for Stage and Screen at the Performance Preparation Academy in Guildford.
The event has been organised by Daniel Coll, a local film director who played DI Frank Blackmore in Emmerdale.
Paddy said: “When Danny called me about Emily I said yes straight away.
“She is a very talented girl and deserves all the support the local people can give her. I am glad to help.”
Daniel has also secured a host of West End and Emmerdale and Coronation Street actors to perform on the night, along with Lightfoot School Of Dancing.
He said: “Emily is very talented and has worked really hard to gain this place.
“I am really looking forward to this exciting show and to working again with Paddy– he gets a bad press but he is the loveliest, nicest fella I’ve ever worked with.”
Emily, who recently completed an acting foundation degree at Newcastle College, hopes that the course will prepare her to become a professional performer.
She was initially offered a place earlier this year on a one year foundation course at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, for which she set up a crowd-funding account on Go Fund Me but has now re-focused this on her new aim.
She also plans to take out a £10,000 career development loan and has already secured a part time job.
“I am extremely grateful to Daniel and really looking forward to being involved and helping put on this show,” she said.
Tickets cost between £10 and £15 and can be bought from www.ticketsource.co.uk/varietygalanight
To donate, go to www.gofundme.com/EmilyNichollsPPA
