Young star of hit TV drama is signed up

A young actor from the Black Country who won rave reviews for his debut TV role in a show that attracted millions of viewers is celebrating today after being taken on by the same agency as Twilight star Robert Pattinson.

Gregory Piper, aged 14, played a foul-mouthed gang member in Line of Duty, the tense tale of police corruption, starring Lennie James as top detective Tony Gates.

The five-part drama pulled in some of BBC2's highest viewing figures of the past decade and has been tipped to scoop a host of awards.

And now Gregory, of Haden Close, Dudley, has joined the London-based Curtis Brown agency, which also looks after Dev Patel, star of the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire.

Ray Winstone's agency Creative Artists Management also offered to work with Gregory after being impressed with his performance as Ryan Pilkington.

Windsor High pupil Gregory, appeared alongside fellow drama school pupil Jordyn-Eve Davis-Greene, of Whittington Road in Stourbridge, who played DCI Gates's daughter Natalie.

Gregory said: "It was the first show I auditioned for and I was really shocked when I got it.

"The reaction has been great and everyone seems to have enjoyed it so I'm looking forward to what happens next."

Gregory's mother Rebecca said: "Everyone thought he did so well in Line of Duty, especially in the final episode when he was being interviewed by police. We went down to London and the agencies were really keen on working with Gregory."

Gregory and Jordyn-Eve both attend the group Dramaworkshop, run by Esther Stanford, 33, and based at Chawn Hill Church in Stourbridge.

Miss Stanford said: "It's great to see that local talent is getting recognised and it shows that it doesn't all have to come from London.

"Gregory is a really talented actor and he has done so well - his performance in Line of Duty was brilliant."

Miss Stanford set up the drama group a year ago, having appeared in shows such as EastEnders, The Bill and Heartbeat.