“My friend had a stage in his bedroom made out of a sandcastle pit, complete with smoke and all the technical stuff, and we would put on shows.
“I used to staple scenery to the ceiling of my room, my mum wondered what an earth I was doing.
“When I was 16 I set up the B&B Young People’s Theatre Group in Lowestoft with some friends to help give young people like me the chance to express themselves on stage through theatre.
“I was also fortunate enough to make the final 30 on BBC One’s Young Apprentice. I think all of these things gave me the impetus to take the plunge and set up my own production company.”