Britain's Hot New Talent

‘When people are on their feet clapping at the end of a show, you can’t beat it’ Actor Alistair Brammer IN THE SPOTLIGHT BRITAIN’S HOT NEW TALENT THE EIGHT YOUNG STARS FOR WHOM 2014 PROMISES TO BE THEIR BREAKOUT YEAR The faces to watch this year (back row, from left): Alistair Brammer, You may already have heard of some of them, but by Chloe Pirrie, Sean Teale, Anna 2 the end of 2014 they’ll be household names. HELLO! Passey and Amy Marren. (Front row): Miles Hurley, Cynthia Erivo, profiles the fledgling stars of sport and entertainment Darren Kennedy who’ll be spreading their wings even further this year ANNA PASSEY, ACTRESS Xxxxx tunning Hollyoaks actress Anna joined a year ago, as her “first ‘I’d definitely SPassey is nominated for Best proper” TV job and with it came y Newcomer in this month’s National instant recognition. consider going Television Awards for her portrayal “This wasn’t necessarily a good y of “cold, cynical and manipulative” thing because of the character I was into acting. Sienna Blake. playing,” she laughs. “I got a fair bit “If you are going to do a soap, of abuse in Asda once.” y Modelling you’re lucky to get a character as She says that viewers are warming unhinged as that,” she smiles. to her character now that they y opens so The 29-year-old has appeared on understand her more. The cast has stage and in films (her most recent, been welcoming, too. “It is the nicest Two Days in the Smoke, will be released place to work,” she says. “I already many doors later this year) and in between acting don’t know what I’d do without it.” jobs she worked in a karaoke bar. l Hollyoaks is on Channel 4 weekdays at She describes Hollyoaks, which she 6.30pm ‘I’m lucky to get to play a character as unhinged as Sienna’ ANNA’S DRESS & TWO UNDERSKIRTS: COAST. HAT: AWON GOLDING MILLINERY. NECKLACE: FIONA PAXTON. BOOTS: JEAN-MICHEL CAZABAT NECKLACE: FIONA PAXTON. GOLDING MILLINERY. AWON HAT: COAST. DRESS & TWO UNDERSKIRTS: ANNA’S ALISTAIR BRAMMER, ‘It just so MUSICAL ACTOR ‘You could be happens alented 25-year-old West End star Alistair having a horrible TBrammer has an impressive CV. Having trod the boards in musicals Joseph and the Amazing day, but for two that a Technicolor Dreamcoat and Taboo, he is currently appearing in War Horse and will join the revival of and a half yours Miss Saigon when it opens in May. In 2012 he took big voice his first steps into film, appearing as Jean you lose yourself Prouvaire in the Oscar-winning Les Misérables. in your character. comes out He appreciates how fortunate he is to appear on stage every night. “You could be having a That gives you horrible day, but for two and a half hours you of me and have to lose that in order to play your character. perspective’ DEBENHAMS. TROUSERS & TIE: BOOTS (SEEN IN MAIN SHOT): DUGGERS GRANT AT HAMMOND & CO BY PATRICK DEBENHAMS. WAISTCOAT: J BY JASPER CONRAN AT MILES’S SHIRT: That gives you perspective and you realise that I’m only your problems are not that big.” Devon-born Alistair is the youngest of seven, MILES HURLEY, MODEL 5ft 1in’ which may explain his confidence. t 6ft 2in, with chiselled Londoner. “Mostly to be kind to “I guess I had to shout to be heard,” he says. Acheekbones and the perfect everyone you meet because it is such “My parents also fostered children so I think pout, it’s clear that model Miles a tiny industry.” that’s why I’m alright with meeting people.” Hurley has inherited some pretty He says it helps to have seen how In 2007 he competed on BBC1’s Any Dream good genes – and they are shared by Elizabeth, who is the sister of his CYNTHIA ERIVO, MUSICAL ACTRESS Will Do, in which Andrew Lloyd Webber was on his aunt Elizabeth Hurley. mother Kate, copes with the nly a few years out of drama school, Londoner The show, which is co-produced by Simon the hunt for a new lead for Joseph. Darren reached Miles, 17, didn’t use his famous limelight. “I see her interact with OCynthia Erivo, 26, is already making a splash Cowell, was written by comedian Harry Hill, who, the final 20 but was not selected to be on the connection to get signed, however. people and it has been a huge help. in the West End. says Cynthia, is a “gorgeous” person to work with. show (the eventual winner was Lee Mead). He was spotted by a scout from Next If there is a situation where I don’t In 2011 she landed the lead role in the UK tour “He’s lovely and has been there pretty much the “I think I was on screen for four seconds,” he Management while shopping in know what to do or an interview I’m of Sister Act: The Musical and her portrayal of Celie whole way through the process. Last week he laughs. But it was enough for judge Bill Kenwright London’s Camden Market at the age nervous about, I do speak to her.” in last year’s The Color Purple may yet see her scoop popped in just to say hello.” to remember him and ask him to join the tour of of 13. After studying for his GCSEs Miles says landing modelling jobs Best Actress at the What’s On Stage Awards. Cynthia, who will star opposite former Joseph the following year. he decided to devote himself to gives him “such a good feeling”. From March she can be seen at the London EastEnders actor Nigel Harman, has been described He describes his forthcoming lead role as modelling full time. Would he consider moving into Palladium in I Can’t Sing, The X Factor Musical. as a “diminutive powerhouse”. Chris in Miss Saigon as the job he’s most excited4 Has his aunt given him any acting at some point? “I really think we’ve got a good one on our “I hope so,” she laughs. “It just so happens that about, adding: “When people are on their feet advice? “Definitely. This industry s hands,” she says. “It’s a really great, funny musical.” a big voice comes out of me and I’m 5ft 1in.” clapping at the end of a show, you can’t beat it.” “Lots,” says the polite, friendly opens so many doors.” CYNTHIA’S DRESS: CATHERINE DEANE. HAT: AWON GOLDING MILLINERY. SHOES: MANGO GOLDING MILLINERY. AWON DEANE. HAT: DRESS: CATHERINE CYNTHIA’S COSTELLOE. BOW TIE: RED HERRING PAUL TROUSERS & SHOES: RIVER ISLAND. SHIRT: JACKET, ALISTAIR’S ‘London 2012 was ‘I was that kid in the amazing. Having thousands changing room with of people cheering my name my mum, going: “No, took my breath away’ not that one”’ AMY MARREN, DARREN KENNEDY, PARALYMPIC SWIMMER PRESENTER he youngest of our rising stars, Paralympic TV’s This Morning’s style presenter Tswimmer Amy Marren is just 15 years old but IDarren Kennedy is modelling already boasts two gold and two silver medals one of the suits from his own from Montreal’s 2013 IPC World Championships. capsule collection in our The Essex teenager, who was born without her photoshoot. The 32-year-old has right hand, is the second fastest swimmer in been interested in fashion for as history in the S9 disability category and in long as he can remember. December was named Sunday Times and Sky “I was that little kid in the Sports Disability Sports Person of the Year. changing room with my mum when She started swimming at the age of four, she I was six, going, ‘No, not that one, tells hello!, adding: “I was ready to give it up try this,” laughs the Dublin-born aged ten, but then I watched Ellie Simmonds in star, who has appeared on TV shows Beijing and I said to my mum, ‘That’s what I want in the UK, the US and Ireland. to do.’ I was adamant I was going to the London Darren is also hellomagazine.com’s Olympics.” newest blogger, is a contributing Amy followed her dream and at London 2012 editor to Telegraph Men and has his competed in three events, narrowly missing out own fashion website. on a medal in the 400m freestyle. She improved He hasn’t always looked so so much during the following year that her time dapper and says his worst fashion in the 200m individual medley in Montreal would faux pas was at the age of 13. have won her gold at the Paralympics. “You’ve heard of double denim? “London was amazing,” she says. “Walking out Well, I went five times denim. I had poolside with thousands of people cheering my a denim flat cap, jacket, shirt and name just took my breath away.” jeans as well as denim trainers that She doesn’t let the swimming success go to her I’d somehow managed to get hold head, though, and has plans to become a lawyer. of. I thought it was amazing. “This year I’ll have my GCSEs then the European Looking back now, not so much…” Summer Games and the Commonwealth Games Darren has explored serious hopefully. It’s busy but the hard work is worth it.” issues, too, with his acclaimed TV documentary Gay Daddy, which examined the options available to gay men in Ireland who want to become fathers. The likeable TV presenter writes a list of goals at the beginning of each year and is enjoying doing more work in the UK.

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