Nolly nostalgia - Crossroads debut launched Northamptonshire actor's career in TV

A Northamptonshire man has reflected on his time working on one of Britain’s most well-known soap operas alongside its iconic star Noele ‘Nolly’ Gordon.

Adrian Bracken was a 16-year-old aspiring actor studying at Wellingborough School when he was given his first break in the business on Crossroads.

With encouragement from his mum, Adrian had written to film and television production companies including ATV and was offered a role.

Hopping on the train from his Northampton home, the schoolboy travelled to Birmingham for a shot at stardom.

He said: “I always wanted to be an actor when I was a kid – my mum took me for elocution lessons. There were only two channels then, so I wrote letters to the BBC and ITV.”Adrian, now 73 and living in Boughton, was thrilled to be offered work as an extra on Crossroads who employed drama students.