Three of the borough's most hopeful young actors will be gracing the small screen next year having won the BBC Talent competition.

More than 12,000 people entered in search of an elusive contract for talking roles in shows which are yet to be determined.

The competition, now in its second year, was only supposed to provide 10 talented actors with contracts but

the general standard was so high that all 30 short listed entrants were given the ultimate prize.

Chik Okonkwo from Kingston, Mark Thompson and Ann-Marie Olufuwa from Surbiton, will find out in March next year what parts they will undertake.

For Chik, 20, winning this competition is a massive step towards achieving his ambition of working in British television and film.

He said: "I'm just trying to keep my feet on the ground until I get the contract. It could be just for a few days or it could be for a year.

"It's a really good opportunity for me and although I am still at university I like being busy."

And Chik has double reason to celebrate this Christmas

as he is appearing in the National Youth Music Theatre's production, The Dreaming, a reworking of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

December 27, 2001 15:30