As an actor, I was forever waiting for that bus to come and say welcome aboard. Now I'm on it, it's a wonderful privilege

Ronnie Bailey star on finally joining top tier of showbiz ranks

- SUE CRAWFORD

Vinta Morgan says finally getting a soap contract made him feel like he had become a star at last - after a long time trying.

The actor, 53, who now plays Ronnie Bailey in Coronation Street, showed early promise but stardom eluded him for years.

He was rapping as a teenager when a local drama group spotted his talent and advised him to try out for the prestigious Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

To his amazement, he was accepted-but a year later he dropped out.

He explains: "It was a fantastic experience, but I had no money and I had to seek funding. Some actors, including Nigel Havers, gave me money to be in the school, but I felt like Oliver Twist.

"I didn't like it, plus the world there was so strange to me. I was surrounded by upper middle-class people, who were completely different to me. Those things combined and I left."

He spent the next four years doing everything from telesales to office admin, teaching and working as a cleaner. Vinta continues: "I ended up having to go back to the Guildhall to clean.

"I saw one of the principals. We didn't say anything, but we both recognised each other.

"That was the turning point. I thought, 'I need to get back [to acting]. I need to do this.'

After Vinta landed a place at East 15 Acting School, Sir Anthony Hopkins generously agreed to sponsor him to the tune of £9,000.

Vinta recalls: "That was fantastic. To get an endorsement like that felt great - it made me feel as if I was supposed to be there and it really helped with the costs."