Northampton-born actor appeals for public votes as show gets nominated for award

Tom Laker, who was born in the town and grew up in Lings, stars in New Skool Life, a comedy about a "sassy" teacher who does not really like his job and is only doing it for the money and holidays.

The former St Gregory's Catholic School and Thomas Becket Catholic School pupil plays the part of Carlos, a teacher's pet in the class but also the teacher's pet that the teacher does not like very much.

Now the series has been nominated for two Screen Nation Awards - Fav Web Series Ensemble and Fav Web Series Actor.

People are able to vote for New Skool Life by visiting www.screennation.com/digitalis/vote-now/.

The award ceremony will be held on the 11th December at The Mayfair Hotel in London and voting closes midnight on Wednesday 7th December.

Tom, a lifelong Cobblers fan, told the Chronicle & Echo that he decided to go into action at the age of six when his uncle, Jonathan Ollivier got him a small part in The Northern Balley's Romeo and Juliet at The Derngate.

"Ever since then I have focused all my efforts on becoming a performer/actor, training at Stagecoach Northampton, West End Kids in London and The Actors Class in London.

"Earlier this year I applied for an audition online for a school online comedy show which I was lucky enough to be offered an audition for towards the beginning of January," he said.

"After shooting Series 1 at the beginning of the year I was lucky enough to be offered the chance to be a part of the writing team for the next series and help promote the series and come up with different promo materials.

"Earlier this week I received a text from Joseph Lindsay, who plays Oliver in the series, congratulating me and saying he couldn't believe it.

"I had no idea what he was on about until I checked online to see that New Skool Life had been nominated for two Screen Nation Awards. Screen Nation Awards are a prestigious acting awards that celebrate Films, Tv series and web series which have a British and African Heritage.

"Considering everyone involved filmed the first series did it without any pay and did it for the love of acting, we are all extremely grateful and surprised by the nomination," he added.