A SITCOM legend and businesswoman is set to expand her Wickford performing arts academy and open a second site in Wickford.

Birds of a Feather star Pauline Quirke MBE launched her academy at Bromfords School in Grange Avenue 13 years ago, but after “unprecedented” demand later moved to Grange Primary, in Elder Avenue.

Echo: Owner - Pauline Quirke MBEOwner - Pauline Quirke MBE (Image: PA)

According to Teri Levett, principle of the Pauline Quirke Academy Wickford, there was a “big push to fit people in” after the pandemic, which has resulted in them now expanding to Beauchamps High School.

The academy will launch its new classes from the school on Friday.

Ms Levett said: “With us getting bombarded with enquiries from parents about their children joining, we couldn’t fit everyone in.

“Due to the big push to fit people in, I decided to take the step and expand to Beauchamps, where we’ll be running sessions those aged between six and 18 on a Friday from 4.45-8pm.

“Our Grange Primary base for four to 18-year-olds will still be used on Saturdays for our two sessions - 9.45am to 1pm, and 1.45pm to 5pm.

“The Wickford branch of Pauline’s business has been incredibly successful, with us producing a range of amazing young actors, including soon-to-be Dr Who star Lenny Rush.

“We’re so proud of everyone who comes through our door, and we always enjoy celebrating their success by calling them up in an assembly or screening their productions at Cineworld Basildon.

“With this expansion, the team and I hope we can fulfil more young talent’s dreams.”

Echo: Pupils - children at the Pauline Quirke AcademyPupils - children at the Pauline Quirke Academy (Image: Pauline Quirke Academy)

For £92 per month, or £46 per month for those aged between four and five, pupils get taught three modules per hour.

This includes musical theatre, film and TV, where the children and young adults learn pre and post-production, acting in front of the camera, and comedy and drama.

As well as Lenny, other pupils at Wickford have gone onto star in top roles including in Netflix’s The Crown and on the West End stage.

Echo: Performing - pupils on stagePerforming - pupils on stage (Image: Pauline Quirke Academy)

Pauline and her husband Steve opened their first academy in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, in 2007 after they could not find anywhere for their son Charlie to go.

To date, the business has more than 200 academies nationwide.

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