WITH five scholarships to top stage schools to choose from a Kidlington youngster is one step closer to his dream career in the West End.

When he auditioned for five places, desperately hoping he could win the £50,000 funding he needed to continue his studies, Ryan Anderson, 17, had no idea he’d be offered scholarships at all of them.

The shocked teenager has now decided to follow in Adam Garcia’s footsteps and will join the Laine Theatre Arts College in September.

Currently nine lead roles in West End musicals are being performed by the world-renowned stage school’s graduates.

Ryan turned down offers of a scholarship at Bird College, Performers College and Millennium Performing Arts and the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, whose alumni include Russell Brand, Pixie Lott and Nadia Sawalha.

Maya Sprigg, principal of Stagecoach drama school where Ryan took lessons for three years, said his achievement was “exceptional”.

She added: “I wasn’t really surprised by his achievement because I sort of expected it – people like Ryan are rare.”

Ryan’s stage career began in Oxford where he performed in a youth production of Guys and Dolls at the New Oxford Theatre. He is pictured on stage in Headington last year.

The former Gosford Hill School pupil said: “It’s a really nice feeling and it’s very humbling. I didn’t think I was going to get a place, let alone this.”