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Schoolboy lands dream TV role
A young Lancashire actor is hoping to bring magic and mischief to the small screen with a lead role in a new sitcom.
James Ainsworth, 13, is starring in Jinx, a BBC children's comedy series about Lulu, a girl with a magical cookbook.
James plays the part of Lulu's michevious stepbrother Torquil, who enjoys playing practical jokes on her but is outwitted when she turns him into a zombie.
James, from Longton, won the role during his summer holidays this year.
He said: "It's a boy's dream to play the part of Torquil.
"He gets up to all sorts of mischief and plays tricks that everyone would love to play on people.
"In fact, when the script arrived my mum said, 'This part is you!'
"My character gets to dress up in all kinds of funny outfits and experimental hairstyles.
"I had the most fun ever in a summer holiday."
Jinx is not James's first foray onto the small screen. He starred in acclaimed Channel 4 drama series, Red Riding, earlier this year.
The youngster, who is a pupil at Kingsfold Christian School in Hesketh Bank, started acting at an early age, attending summer theatre schools, and later started acting classes with Guildhall Productions in Preston.
He won the part of a Lost Boy in Guildhall's production of Peter Pan two years ago and was spotted by agent Melanie Ash.
He is now signed up with Manchester-based agency, Linton Management.
The first episode of Jinx will be screened on CBBC on October 31. It runs until Boxing Day.
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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