A Hampton teenager who beat thousands of applicants to a place at the National Youth Theatre (NYT) will star in a BBC radio documentary.

Hampton Academy sixth form pupil Mo Deria, 16, won a scholarship last week to the acting school, which boasts Helen Mirren, Sir Ben Kingsley and Daniel Day-Lewis among its alumni.

Mo, Hampton Academy’s first pupil to study at the NYT, was interviewed before and after his audition for the BBC Radio 4 documentary Untold Stories – to be broadcast in June.

The programme-makers were with him when he learned he had won a place at the NYT on Friday, April 15.

Your Local Guardian:

Mo with his drama teacher, Alice Jones

Mo said: “I was speechless; I literally couldn't speak which is not a great thing for an actor.

"I was so nervous before I found out.

“I only found out about it through my teacher in February so it is all a bit of a whirlwind.

“Two months later my whole life has changed and I'm taking my first steps towards fulfilling my dream.

“I just can't believe it is happening.”

Last Friday the BBC came into Hampton Academy to interview Mo, who credits his success to his drama teacher, Alice Jones.

Mo said: “Alice really ignited my passion for performing arts. She was the person who told me about the National Youth Theatre and helped me with the application.

"Without her and the help the school has provided me I don't think this would have happened. I can't thank them enough.”

Mo will follow in the footsteps of countless famous actors including Daniel Craig, Colin Firth and Idris Elba – as well as Mirren, Sir Ben and Day-Lewis.

Mrs Jones said: “Mo is our first pupil to win a place at the National Youth Theatre but he won't be our last.

"We will make sure our pupils are applying every year. We want them to have these opportunities to fulfil their potential.

“Mo is lucky that he is student at Hampton Academy because we have world class performing arts department including our own theatre, dance and dram studio.

“The teachers are also extremely passionate.

“That has helped him.”