Gandalf and 'Street' star Tom applaud anti-bullying strategy
A Golborne soap actor returned to his former high school and came face-to-face with a Hollywood superstar.
Coronation Street 'new boy' Philip McGinley, who plays Tom Kerrigan, joined Lord of the Rings actor Sir Ian McKellen on a recent visit to Golborne High school.
Phil made his first appearance in the soap earlier this year and is slowly becoming a well-known face in the Street, but for his former teachers his success is no surprise. Maggie Hollowell, head of drama at Golborne High, said: "Phil always had a quiet confidence about him, he wasn't an extrovert or an over-the-top, pushy person at school."
Golborne High seems to be a hub for budding actors with year 11 pupil Larner Taylor also making a number of television appearances, the most high profile in crime drama Blue Murder.
It was the school's commitment to tackling bullying which earned it a memorable visit from acclaimed actor Sir Ian.
He has been a prominent member of the organisation Stonewall which has campaigned against homophobic discrimination.
Golborne High's anti-bullying policy covers all manner of prejudices and both mental and physical ill-treatment of children.
The actor, who himself is openly gay, toured the building, looked at bullying-related artwork, was treated to a number of playlets and met the school council to discuss the policy in greater detail.
He told the assembled throng: "Gandalf does not put up with bullies!" and told staff that he had been very impressed by everything he had seen.
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Monday 21 May 2012
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